Sarfaraz Khan likely to replace injured Sai Sudharsan: BCCI source

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Team India is all set to lock horns with Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series. The first match is scheduled to be played from August 15 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium near Galle Fort.

Ahead of the first match, Indian batsman Sarfaraz Khan is likely to replace injured batsman Sai Sudharsan, according to a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) source. 

Sudharsan had sustained an injury, which could rule him out of the upcoming series.

“Sarfaraz Khan is likely to replace injured Sai Sudharsan in the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka,” a BCCI source said.

The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer has been undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. The left-handed batsman also participated in the batting and fielding drills, but he is unlikely to make his appearance in the first Test match against Sri Lanka.

He also missed out on the ongoing three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI, which is underway in Colombo.

On the other hand, Madhya Pradesh’s veteran off-spinner Saransh Jain has received a maiden call-up. He has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket. According to several media reports, Jain was in contention for the series due to Washington Sundar’s unavailability for the first Test match. Sundar is busy with his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will also mark his comeback after recovering from a tennis elbow injury during the concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

Aquib Nabi has also been included in the squad as Jasprit Bumrah‘s replacement. Team India is also grappling with multiple injury concerns ahead of the series, with Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy sidelined due to hamstring and quadriceps injuries, respectively.

Led by Shubman Gill, India are currently fifth in the World Test Championship standings, having registered four wins and four losses in nine matches, with a Points Percentage (PCT) of 48.150.

India’s squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka

Shubman Gill (C), KL Rahul (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi.

(With ANI Inputs)

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