What Manav Suthar’s arrival does to Kuldeep Yadav’s chances in Test team

Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar could likely contend for one spinner's spot in India's Test tour of Sri Lanka. (BCCI)Buried in India’s squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, announced on Tuesday, was a familiar problem for Kuldeep Yadav, wearing a new face. Alongside the usual talking points, Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness, the continued backing for pace prospect Gurnoor Brar, sat the inclusion of a 23-year-old left-arm orthodox spinner named Manav Suthar. Since his Test debut in 2017, Kuldeep has played a mere 18 matches in nine years. A year ago, previewing a different tour, he spoke with the same quiet confidence conditions now warrant. Entering the World Test Championship cycle as India’s lead spinner ahead of the 2025 tour of England, he waved off any suggestion of added pressure.