India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak declines to comment on Kuldeep Yadav's potential selection for Colombo Test

India's handling of Kuldeep Yadav has stirred the hornet's nest as the tourists look to clinch the ongoing two‑match Test series 2‑0. The left‑arm wrist‑spinner did not attend India's training sessions ahead of the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC).

He was ruled out before the second Test as India chose to field off‑break bowling allrounder Saransh Jain. The BCCI issued a press release stating that Kuldeep was down with viral fever and was therefore unavailable for selection in the playing XI for the series decider.

However, the release added that Kuldeep "can take the field as a concussion substitute, if required".

India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak was asked whether the team management would have picked Kuldeep for the second Test had he been fit, and he felt the question was irrelevant since the 31‑year‑old was unwell.

"I do not think that is a relevant question. Because if he is not fit, how will he think about whether he plays or not? And genuinely, he had a viral when we left Galle. It is not like that. If the team needs an off‑spinner and he does not play, there is no need to say he was not well. But when the guy is not in a position to play, there is no point in thinking about whether he was fit or not. It would be very unfair to think that," Kotak told reporters on Sunday.

Kotak said Sri Lanka's left-hand-dominant batting order nudged them into picking the off‑break option of Saransh Jain alongside the two slow left‑arm orthodox spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar.

"When we left, he had a sore throat and then a viral. I think he has recovered reasonably well. He looked good when I met him in the evening, and so obviously he was not available for the match. So then it comes to whether we go with three fast bowlers or three spinners. And with them having four left‑handers in the top order, it probably makes sense to play an off‑spinner," he added.