'He needs the team to stand by him at this point' - Ajinkya Rahane backs Kuldeep Yadav despite dismal Galle outing

Ajinkya Rahane has called for the Indian team to rally behind Kuldeep Yadav following the wrist spinner's disappointing performance in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle. Kuldeep took just one wicket across 25 overs while conceding 103 runs in the match, which ended on Wednesday, August 19. Despite the difficult outing in spin-friendly conditions, Rahane believes Kuldeep remains a match-winning bowler capable of returning to form with the team's backing.

Rahane emphasised that Kuldeep has a proven track record of delivering in crucial moments and should not be judged solely on one difficult match.

"I want Kuldeep Yadav to be given more confidence. He needs the team to stand by him at this point. Whenever there are crucial situations, he has picked up wickets. Yes, he did not get to bowl a lot here," Rahane said on his YouTube channel.

"All these things happen in the game, and sometimes you don't get the rhythm. But I want to see Kuldeep being backed if the conditions are similar. He is a match-winning bowler. If the team backs him now, he will deliver," he added.

Rahane acknowledged that Kuldeep's limited bowling opportunities and lack of rhythm during the Galle Test were factors that contributed to his struggles. The former India captain stressed that such situations are part of cricket and that bowlers often need time to find their feet in a match. He highlighted Kuldeep's ability to perform under pressure and pick up crucial wickets in important situations.

Manav Suthar made an impressive impact in the same Test, and Rahane praised the young spinner for his thoughtful approach to bowling. Suthar demonstrated excellent bowling awareness throughout the match and showed subtle variations in his bowling speed across both innings. Rahane noted that Suthar deserved his opportunity after performing well in the previous Test.

"Manav deserved the chance because in the previous Test, he did very well. His bowling was amazing, and his confidence was seen. The thing I liked the most was the wicket he picked on the very first ball. It is important for you as a bowler to hit the right area on the very first ball. You need a lot of experience or a lot of confidence in your ability," Rahane said.

"That ball was unplayable. There were subtle changes in his bowling speed in the first and second innings. This means he thinks about his bowling, and this is a big ability. You look to improve. The start has been brilliant for him. It will be important to enjoy this performance but also to see how he can improve," he added.

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Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja shared seven wickets in Sri Lanka's first innings, demonstrating the effectiveness of India's spin attack when conditions favour them. Rahane's comments underscored the importance of maintaining faith in players during difficult phases and allowing them the opportunity to recover their form in subsequent matches.