‘Handle Him With Care’: Gautam Gambhir Urged to Treat Kuldeep Yadav Like Rohit-Dravid Did…

With India preparing for the opening Test against Sri Lanka, the spotlight has fallen on a familiar question: where does Kuldeep Yadav fit into the team’s plans?

Former India spinner Murali Kartik believes the answer should be straightforward. According to him, India must treat Kuldeep primarily as a match-winning spinner rather than judging his place in the side through his batting ability.

Kartik has also urged Gautam Gambhir and the current team management to handle Kuldeep with the same confidence and consistency that Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid showed during their tenure.

The comments come just days before India begin their two-Test series against Sri Lanka, with the first match scheduled at Galle International Stadium on August 15. Kuldeep’s place in the playing XI remains a talking point, particularly because he has not been a regular starter across formats.

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‘Look at him solely as a spin bowler’

Kartik’s central argument is that Kuldeep should not be compared with all-rounders when India select their bowling combination.

The former spinner pointed out that Kuldeep is capable of contributing with the bat when required. He has demonstrated that ability in Test cricket, including when used as a nightwatchman.

However, Kartik believes that should not be the primary basis for deciding whether Kuldeep deserves a place.

His message to the Indian management was clear: judge Kuldeep for what he does best — taking wickets.

Kartik described him as a wonderful bowler and a match-winner, highlighting his ability to make an impact in different conditions and countries.

That could become particularly relevant in Sri Lanka, where spin is traditionally expected to play a major role as a Test match progresses.

Why Rohit and Dravid’s approach matters

Kuldeep’s career has gone through several twists.

There have been periods when he was a regular member of India’s plans, followed by phases when he found himself outside the playing XI or behind other options.

Kartik believes the certainty provided by Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid helped Kuldeep flourish.

According to him, a spinner performs differently when he knows he has the backing of the captain and coach. Instead of constantly worrying about selection, the player can concentrate on his role and prepare accordingly.

That, Kartik feels, is something the current setup under Gambhir should consider.

Kuldeep has also dealt with injuries during his career, including a recent groin issue, making consistent management even more important.

Kuldeep’s batting should not decide his fate

One of the biggest issues surrounding India’s Test selection has been the balance between batting depth and specialist bowling.

With players such as Ravindra Jadeja offering significant contributions with both bat and ball, specialist bowlers can sometimes find themselves competing for places.

Kartik, however, does not believe Kuldeep should be expected to match Jadeja’s batting output.

The former India international acknowledged that Kuldeep does not possess the same hitting ability as Jadeja or Ravichandran Ashwin, but argued that the left-arm spinner can still contribute when required.

For Kartik, the priority should remain his ability to break partnerships and take crucial wickets.

A big role could await him in Sri Lanka

India’s Test squad for the Sri Lanka series includes Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain, giving the team several spin options.

The conditions in Galle could make that group particularly important.

Sri Lankan pitches can traditionally offer assistance to spinners, especially as the surface wears. A bowler capable of changing the trajectory, creating variations and attacking both right- and left-handed batters could become a major weapon.

Kuldeep’s left-arm wrist spin gives India a different dimension from conventional finger spinners.

If India decide to include him, the challenge for Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill will be finding the right combination while ensuring Kuldeep knows exactly what is expected of him.

The bigger message for Gambhir

Kartik’s comments are ultimately about more than one player’s selection.

They raise a broader question about how India manages specialist players during a period of transition in Test cricket.

The current team is entering a new era following the retirements of senior stars, and younger players are being asked to establish themselves.

In such an environment, consistent backing can become crucial.

For Kuldeep, that could mean knowing that one expensive spell or one selection omission will not immediately put his position under threat.

The left-arm spinner has already shown that, when given confidence and responsibility, he can produce match-winning performances.

Now, as India prepare for Sri Lanka, Kartik wants the current management to give him the same sense of security that he believes helped Kuldeep thrive under Rohit and Dravid.

Whether Gambhir follows that approach could become one of the intriguing selection stories of the Test series.