Murali Kartik believes India's upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka could be an important reset for some of the team's key players, with Yashasvi Jaiswal among those he is expecting to make a statement, and Dhruv Jurel as someone he wants to see given a longer run.
Speaking to myKhel during a roundtable interaction hosted by Sony Sports Network, Kartik also played down the growing scrutiny around head coach Gautam Gambhir and the selection committee, insisting that the focus should be on India's bigger objective: keeping their World Test Championship campaign alive.
"I feel sad," Kartik responded when asked about the test that awaits Gambhir and the selection committee. "When you are an Indian captain or an Indian coach, you could do everything
right, and if you've got a few results going the other way, people are gonna train their guns at you," Kartik said.
"I think it comes with the territory, I suppose; it comes with the profile. "
For Kartik, however, this is not the time for the noise around the team to overshadow what is at stake.
"I think it's very important that India does well in this series, because we need to stay alive in the WTC. We are fifth right now, and from that point of view, India needs to pull all its guns out and fire them properly," he said.
That makes the Sri Lanka series particularly important for a side that will also be without Jasprit Bumrah and has a few injury concerns to deal with.
"We have no Bumrah, we have a few injuries, we want our players to be informed because it's a red ball format, and it's going to be testing conditions, not because you're playing Sri Lanka, it's pretty warm and humid out there," Kartik said.
"It is going to test players who've already been traveling around the world and playing for India and playing other things as well. So, from that point of view, we need to be at our best to do well. "
Kartik wants Yashasvi Jaiswal to turn the page
If there is one player that Kartik particularly wants to see make a statement, it is Jaiswal.
The opener, who has established himself as one of India's most exciting Test batters, has gone through what Kartik described as a "bit of a lull. "
"I want Yashasvi Jaiswal to fire, because, look, he's had a bit of a lull, bit of a dip," Kartik said.
"For such a fine, fine player, you would want him to start well in the company. "
There is a sense in Kartik's comments that Jaiswal does not have to reinvent himself, but simply needs to rediscover the version of himself that made him such a compelling Test batter in the first place.
Kartik also expects KL Rahul and Shubman Gill to simply "be themselves", but singled out Jaiswal as someone whose response could be particularly significant.
"Something Special" about Dhruv Jurel
Kartik is also placing his bets on Dhruv Jurel, with the former India spinner key to seeing the youngster given the kind of uninterrupted opportunity that can actually tell everyone watching what he is capable of.
"I want somebody like Dhruv Jurel to get an extended run, because I think there is something really special about that young man and what he does," Kartik said.
It is a particularly interesting endorsement, because Kartik isn't simply calling for Jurel's inclusion. He wants an extended run, suggesting India need to give the young wicketkeeper-batter enough time to settle into the role and show what he can offer.
The Bigger headache? India's Bowling Combination
While Jasiwal and Jurel are in the spotlight, Kartik believes India's biggest tactical headache could come with the bowling combination; how India distribute the workload between their pacers and spinners could have a major impact on the series.
"From a bowling point of view is what is my concern going to be, because how are you going to use your fast bowlers in that heat?" Kartik said.
"How many fast bowlers can you play? How many spinners do you want to play, keeping in mind the balance?"
Those are the decisions India will have to get right from the very beginning, as Kartik added: "All those things are going to be pretty crucial come first day and the toss. "
For India then, the Sri Lanka series is not simply another assignment. It is an opportunity for Jasiwal to answer his recent dip, for Jurel to stake a stronger claim and for Gambhir and the selectors to show that their current plans can keep India in the WTC race.
Watch Sri Lanka vs. India 1st Test Day 1 on August 15, 2026, from 10 AM IST live on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD & Sony LIV.
