Former Sri Lankan all-rounder Farveez Maharoof has suggested that India may choose to field three spinners in their upcoming opening Test against Sri Lanka. With the absence of retired star Ravichandran Ashwin and the injured Washington Sundar, the Indian team is likely to rely on Ravindra Jadeja and
Maharoof highlighted Suthar's ability to generate bounce from the pitch, a crucial factor on Sri Lankan surfaces that often favor spinners who can extract elevation rather than just turn. Suthar made a notable debut against Afghanistan, where he took seven wickets, showcasing his potential at the international level. Jain, while yet to make his debut for India, also impressed during a recent tour with India A, where he claimed seven wickets and contributed an unbeaten 70 runs while batting at No. 7.
Despite Jain's promising performances, Maharoof believes Suthar's bounce could be more advantageous for the team. "If you ask me, I would be tempted to go with the two left-arm spinners as well as Kuldeep Yadav," Maharoof stated. He emphasized Kuldeep's strong track record, particularly his wicket-taking ability in the last Test against Afghanistan, making him a frontrunner for selection in Galle. "I see three spinners for India: Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and either Suthar or Jain. Ideally, you would like an off-spinner for variation, but I would not be surprised if Manav Suthar plays because his ability to get bounce off the surface could be very handy in Galle," he added.
Rishabh Pant: A Key Threat for Sri Lanka
In addition to the bowling lineup, Maharoof pointed out that Rishabh Pant poses a significant threat to the Sri Lankan team, despite his modest performance in India's recent warm-up match in Colombo, where he scored just two and 28 runs. Maharoof cautioned that these scores should not give Sri Lanka any false sense of security, as Pant has the capability to change the course of a match in a matter of minutes. "If I were in the Sri Lankan dressing room, I would be very worried about Rishabh Pant. He is a player who, within half an hour or 45 minutes, can completely change the game," he remarked.
Maharoof anticipates that Sri Lanka will heavily rely on spin to counter Pant, likely fielding two frontline spinners along with two part-time options. However, he believes that Pant's unconventional batting style will make him a challenging opponent to contain. "Sri Lanka will surely go with two frontline spinners as well as two part-timers, but the way Pant scores runs, with his unorthodox style, he is going to be dangerous," Maharoof concluded.
