​Kuldeep Yadav’s mysterious absence: Was viral illness used as cover for him being dropped from India’s Test XI vs Sri Lanka? originally appeared on Cricket News.
Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Kuldeep Yadav missed the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo due to a reported viral illness.BCCI’s explanations for his absence shifted across three days in the build-up.India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak called it “not a relevant question” when asked if a fit Kuldeep would have played.Was viral illness used as cover for Kuldeep Yadav being dropped from India’s Test XI vs Sri Lanka?Kuldeep Yadav’s omission from India’s XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka had been widely predicted long before the toss, with his figures of 1 for 103 in Galle inviting scrutiny. What was not anticipated was the confusion surrounding the official reason for his absence.The wrist-spinner was left out at the Sinhalese Sports Club, with 33-year-old Saransh Jain handed a debut in his place. Captain Shubman Gill first revealed at the toss that Kuldeep was unwell, and the BCCI followed with a formal statement confirming the same.”Mr Kuldeep Yadav has not fully recovered from his viral illness. He was unavailable for selection in the playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka. However, he can take the field as a concussion substitute, if required,” the board said.UPDATE: Mr Kuldeep Yadav has not fully recovered from his viral illness.He was unavailable for selection in the Playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka.However, he can take the field as a concussion substitute, if required. #TeamIndia | #SLvIND— BCCI (@BCCI) August 23, 2026That explanation, however, sat awkwardly against what the team had been saying over the preceding 72 hours, and the discrepancies have prompted questions about whether illness was the whole story.MORE: Pant injury: Why did India wicket-keeper walk off the pitch?The shifting timeline around Kuldeep Yadav’s absenceAccording to a report by The Times of India, the messaging from the India camp changed markedly across three days in Colombo. When Kuldeep and KL Rahul missed the squad’s first practice session on August 21, spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule was asked specifically about them and said there was no injury concern, adding that they were simply resting.Kuldeep was again absent from the nets on August 22. It was only on August 23 that the word ‘infection’ entered the conversation, with the fuller account of a viral illness and a throat problem dating back to Galle emerging that evening.Mysterious case of Kuldeep YadavAugust 21: “No injury concern, he is resting”August 22: Not in netsAugust 23: “Has infection”August 23 evening: “Had viral, throat issue from Galle”100% fit KD would have played? “Not a relevant question”https://t.co/xnwsR5iE4O— Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) August 23, 2026Throughout, Kuldeep travelled with the squad and was spotted in the dugout alongs