India Test squad for Sri Lanka tour to be announced by Tuesday
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce India‘s Test squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka by Tuesday. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the timeline for the squad selection, which will be overseen by the Ajit Agarkar-led senior men’s selection committee.
The tour includes two Test matches, which are part of India‘s ICC World Test Championship (WTC) commitments. The first Test is scheduled to begin on August 15 at Galle, followed by the second Test in Colombo on August 23.
Squad Selection Focus
A primary concern for the selectors will be the fitness of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah missed the recent series-deciding third One Day International (ODI) against England at Lord’s due to an impact injury and reactive swelling on his left knee. Reports indicate that his recovery process is being monitored, with approximately three weeks available before the Test series begins.
However, it remains uncertain if Bumrah will be able to travel with the squad when they depart for Sri Lanka in the first week of August. The Indian squad is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka by August 4 and will play a four-day warm-up match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club in Colombo from August 7 to August 10 to help acclimatise to the local conditions.
Another player whose fitness is under evaluation is off-spin bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar. He is currently recovering from a right hamstring strain, which also ruled him out of the match at Lord’s. It is not yet known if he will be fit in time for the series.
Anticipated Returns and Bowling Line-up
Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is expected to return to the Test side. Jadeja, who last played an ODI against New Zealand in January, was not included in the recent three-match ODI series against England, which India lost 1-2. His all-round skills are considered valuable for the series against Sri Lanka.
The pace bowling duties are anticipated to be shared among Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna. In the spin department, seasoned bowler Kuldeep Yadav is expected to lead, supported by left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, who recently made an impressive debut against Afghanistan.
Washington Sundar could be the third spinner if he recovers in time, having taken a four-wicket haul in the second innings against Afghanistan at Mullanpur. Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey is also expected to continue as a back-up slow bowler.
The Shubman Gill-led squad will play the first Test at the Galle International Cricket Stadium (GICS) from August 15 to August 19. The second and final Test will take place at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo from August 23 to August 27.
This tour marks India‘s first Test series in Sri Lanka since 2017. The BCCI is also planning a review meeting in early August to discuss the national team’s recent white-ball performances, following T20I series defeats in Ireland (2-0) and England (4-0), and the ODI series loss to England. This meeting will involve top BCCI officials, head coach Gautam Gambhir, T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, Centre of Excellence (COE) head of cricket VVS Laxman, and the five-member selection panel, focusing on long-term tactical planning and the roadmap for the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup.
The announcement of the Test squad for Sri Lanka is expected by Tuesday.
Source: m.rediff.com
Priya Menon 