Sitanshu Kotak asserts there is no reason to fabricate Kuldeep Yadav's health issues.

In a recent statement, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak addressed the absence of Kuldeep Yadav from the Test match in Colombo, firmly rejecting any rumors suggesting that the left-arm wrist spinner was faking illness. Kotak clarified that Kuldeep was genuinely suffering from viral fever, emphasizing that there was no reason for him to feign unfitness to avoid playing. “If the team needs a spinner and then he doesn’t play, there is no need to fake that he wasn’t keeping well,” Kotak remarked, underscoring the player's inability to participate due to his health condition.

Additionally, Kotak provided an encouraging update regarding wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who had to retire hurt after being struck on the wrist by a bouncer from Sri Lankan bowler Lahiru Kumara shortly after the tea break on Day 1. After receiving medical attention, Pant left the field, but Kotak expressed optimism that he would be able to return to the crease on Monday to continue his innings. At the close of play, India had reached a score of 300 for the loss of five wickets, with Dhruv Jurel and Saransh Jain remaining not out, hoping Pant’s potential return would bolster their total further.

The opening day of the Test match was not without its moments of tension, as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando were involved in a verbal exchange following Jaiswal’s dismissal. Kotak described the incident as a “heat of the moment” reaction, suggesting that while emotions ran high, Jaiswal should have refrained from confronting the bowler. Ryan van Niekerk, the fast bowling coach for Sri Lanka, characterized the altercation as an “overflow of emotion,” indicating that any decisions regarding disciplinary measures would be left to match referee Andy Pycroft.