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KEY TAKEAWAYS: - Kuldeep Yadav faced heavy criticism from fans after going wicketless in Sri Lanka's second innings in Galle. - Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja outperformed Kuldeep across both innings as India won the first Test by 165 runs. - Aakash Chopra suggested India could consider handing Saransh Jain a debut in place of Kuldeep for the second Test. Furious fans demand India drop Kuldeep Yadav for Saransh Jain in 2nd Sri Lanka Test India walked away from Galle with a commanding 165-run win, but the celebrations have been overshadowed by a growing wave of criticism directed at Kuldeep Yadav, whose underwhelming display has fans questioning his place in the side ahead of the second Test in Colombo. Kuldeep was used sparingly compared to India's other spin options and ended up the most expensive bowler across both innings. In Sri Lanka's first innings, he managed just one wicket while leaking 65 runs off 14 overs. In contrast, Manav Suthar took 4 for 76 and Ravindra Jadeja finished with 3 for 57 in that same innings. Things didn't improve in the second innings either, where Kuldeep went completely wicketless, conceding 38 runs from 11 overs. Suthar, meanwhile, ran through Sri Lanka with a stunning 6 for 55, while Jadeja chipped in with figures of 1 for 71. Why are fans calling for Kuldeep to be dropped? One fan, posting under the handle @OldMonkOfCric, didn't hold back: "Kuldeep Yadav is finished. India need to move on from him. And for those who kept saying, Kuldeep Yadav would have wreaked havoc in England if they had played him, I hope they’re seeing now what England would have done to him on those flat wickets. Just like Moeen Ali made him cry in the IPL, the same thing would have happened here. Not even a single ball is turning for him despite being a wrist-spinner. Ridiculous." Kuldeep Yadav is finished. India need to move on from him. — OldMonkofCricket (@OldMonkOfCric) August 19, 2026 And for those who kept saying, Kuldeep Yadav would have wreaked havoc in England if they had played him, I hope they’re seeing now what England would have done to him on those flat wickets. Just like Moeen Ali made him… pic.twitter.com/hEW4oA5D6l Journalist @vikrantgupta73, argued India's attack was missing genuine off-spin variety and suggested Saransh Jain deserves a chance regardless of the result, and that Kuldeep could well be the one to make way. India badly missing an off spinner here. No matter what the result is and who does what, Saransh Jain must play the second Test#IndvsSL — Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) August 19, 2026 A third fan, @Abhisekh34wrote: "After Manav's 10fer, Kuldeep should find a job in football circuit. Red ball to khatm hai after Washi comes." After Manav's 10fer, Kuldeep should find a job in football circuit. Red ball to khatm hai after Washi comes. https://t.co/YMpmiaA4TP — anon (@Abhisekh34) August 19, 2026 Whereas, @arandomguyposts struck a more sympathetic tone and added: "Feel for Kuldeep Yadav, wasn’t given proper chances in tests & discarded from the limited-overs setup for a while for balance issues. By the time he got it together & projected himself as a 3-format option, his form deserted him completely. Sad state for a rare breed of chinaman." Feel for Kuldeep Yadav, wasn’t given proper chances in tests & discarded from the limited overs setup for a while for balance issues — Adi (@arandomguyposts) August 19, 2026 By the time he got it together & projected himself as a 3 format option, his form deserted him completely Sad state for a rare breed of chinaman MORE: 'Gain for Indian cricket': Experts, fans react as Suthar claims 10 wickets vs SL Commentator and former cricketer Aakash Chopra weighed in with a more measured take, acknowledging the sympathy around Kuldeep's inconsistent selection while stressing that results ultimately matter more than circumstance. "We all have to pay attention to where Kuldeep Yadav goes from here, and Kuldeep himself will have to pay attention to what he needs to do. He bowled only 14 overs in the first innings. Among the spinners, Manav Suthar bowled 22 overs, and Ravindra Jadeja bowled 21 overs. Who was the spinner who bowled the fewest overs? Kuldeep," Chopra said. "There is empathy thus far that he is not getting chances consistently, and what is happening is not right, but the truth is also that you need to make the most of the opportunities you are getting. If you are unable to do the job properly, we also won't be able to talk like that for long because the pressure will keep building." Chopra went further, suggesting India might consider handing Saransh Jain in Kuldeep's place for the Colombo Test. "You have two left-arm spinners, and both are doing a good job. Both pick up wickets and contribute with the bat. I am talking about Jaddu and Manav. So you can give Saransh Jain his debut in place of Kuldeep because there are left-handers in the opposition. In such a scenario, if you get an off-spinner, why not? You start thinking along those lines," Chopra observed. MORE: 'I'll take you to IPL': Hilarious conversation between Jaiswal and Dickwella leaked Fan reaction is understandable, but a touch premature There's no denying Kuldeep's numbers in Galle were absolutely poor, and the frustration from fans is fair given how much India's other spinners outperformed him on the same surface. But writing off a bowler entirely after one below-par match, especially one who's shown match-winning ability throughout his career, feels like an overreaction driven more by social media momentum than careful analysis. Chopra's point about opportunity and consistency cuts both ways here. Kuldeep hasn't had a settled run in the Test side over recent years, and it's difficult to fairly judge a bowler's current form when he's constantly shuffled in and out of the XI. That said, India's selectors can't afford to carry passengers either, and if Suthar and Jadeja continue delivering at this level, Kuldeep's spot becomes harder to justify purely on reputation. The suggestion of blooding Saransh Jain makes tactical sense given Sri Lanka's left-hand-heavy batting order, and it wouldn't be an unreasonable gamble for Colombo. But dropping Kuldeep outright after a single rough outing risks repeating the very inconsistency in selection that's arguably contributed to his struggles in the first place. One bad Test shouldn't erase everything he's shown in the past. India would do well to judge this on a slightly longer curve rather than reacting purely to one disappointing week. For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.