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 announcement, as selectors are evaluating fitness updates concerning key players.
The Ajit Agarkar-led senior men’s selection committee will finalise the squad for the two-match Test series. This series is part of India‘s commitments for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).
Player Fitness Concerns
A primary focus for the selectors is the fitness of pace leader 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. This injury occurred during the second game in Cardiff.
Sources close to the developments indicate that Bumrah‘s recovery process is being monitored. While the Test series is still some weeks away, allowing time for recovery, it remains uncertain if he will be able to travel with the squad in the first week of August.
Another player whose fitness is under evaluation is off-spin bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar. Sundar 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.
The tour marks India‘s first Test series in Sri Lanka since 2017. The team is scheduled to arrive in Colombo on August 4 and will play a four-day warm-up match from August 7 to August 10 at the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) in Colombo to help acclimatise to the local conditions.
Anticipated Returns and Bowling Options
Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is expected to make his return to the Shubman Gill-led side. Jadeja last played an ODI against New Zealand in January and was subsequently rested from a one-off game against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh. He was also not selected for the ODI series against England, which India lost 1-2. His all-round skills are anticipated to be valuable against Sri Lanka.
The pace bowling duties are expected to be shared among Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna. In the spin department, seasoned bowler Kuldeep Yadav is slated to lead, supported by left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, who recently had an impressive debut against Afghanistan.
Washington Sundar could potentially be the third spinner, having achieved 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.
Upcoming Fixtures and Review Meeting
The two-match Test series will commence with the first Test at the Galle International Cricket Stadium (GICS) from August 15 to August 19. The second and final Test will then take place at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo from August 23 to August 27.
In addition to the squad announcement, the BCCI is also planning a review meeting to discuss the national team’s recent white-ball performances. This meeting is expected to occur in early August, following the conclusion of the ongoing T20I series against Zimbabwe.
Top BCCI officials, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, Centre of Excellence (COE) head of cricket VVS Laxman, and the five-member selection panel, are understood to be meeting at the headquarters in Mumbai. The discussions are anticipated to address long-term tactical planning, execution of game plans in overseas conditions, and the broader roadmap leading to the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup, especially after India‘s recent T20I series defeats in Ireland (2-0) and England (4-0), and the ODI series loss.
The Shubman Gill-led squad is scheduled to play two Test matches in Sri Lanka as part of their ICC World Test Championship commitments.
Source: m.rediff.com
