Sarfaraz Khan replaces Sai Sudharsan in India's Test squad vs Sri Lanka
Synopsis
A last-minute injury reshuffle sees Sarfaraz Khan — twice overlooked for overseas Test assignments — finally get a fresh call-up as India chase crucial WTC points against Sri Lanka. With the final berth on the line and Sudharsan sidelined by a toe stress reaction, Sarfaraz's ability to handle spin in Galle could prove decisive.
Key Takeaways
Sarfaraz Khan has been named as a replacement for B Sai Sudharsan in India's two-match Test squad against Sri Lanka .
Sudharsan is ruled out of the entire series with a right toe stress reaction , undergoing rehab at the BCCI COE, Bengaluru .
Sarfaraz has scored 371 runs in 6 Tests at an average of 37.1 , with a highest score of 150 .
The first Test begins on 15 August in Galle ; the second runs from 23-27 August at the SSC, Colombo .
India are fifth on the WTC points table , facing sixth-ranked Sri Lanka in a series critical to their final hopes.
Sarfaraz Khan has been named as a replacement for injured opener B Sai Sudharsan in India's squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed. Sudharsan has been ruled out of the entire series due to a right toe stress reaction, forcing the selectors to make a late change ahead of the first Test.
Sudharsan's Injury and Recovery
Sai Sudharsan was undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru when he was ruled out of the series. The BCCI stated that the left-handed batter 'has made significant progress in his recovery from the right toe stress reaction and is recovering well,' with the BCCI Medical Team closely monitoring his progress. Despite the encouraging signs, he remains unfit to take the field for either Test.
Sarfaraz Khan: The Replacement
Sarfaraz Khan, the right-handed batter known for his ability to handle both pace and spin, will join Team India in Colombo before the squad travels to Galle for the opening Test, starting 15 August. In six Tests, Sarfaraz has accumulated 371 runs at an average of 37.1, with a highest score of 150.
Notably, Sarfaraz was part of India's squad for the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia but did not feature in any of the five matches. He also represented the India A team during the England tour but was not included in the main Test squad for the five-match series in June-July 2025.
Series Schedule and WTC Stakes
The first Test gets underway in Galle from 15 August, while the second and final Test will be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo from 23 to 27 August. The series carries significant weight in the context of the World Test Championship (WTC) — India currently sit fifth on the points table and need a strong showing against sixth-ranked Sri Lanka to strengthen their bid for a place in the final.
Updated India Squad
The revised squad reads: Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, and Sarfaraz Khan. With the WTC final berth in contention, every point from this series will count.
Point of View
And again omitted for the England Tests. The selectors' persistent reluctance to hand him a consistent run makes this replacement slot a pressure audition rather than a reward. Meanwhile, Sudharsan's absence is a genuine blow: he was among India's freshest batting prospects, and a toe stress reaction at this stage of a busy international calendar raises questions about workload management at the BCCI COE. For India, the WTC arithmetic is unforgiving — a slip against a lower-ranked Sri Lanka side at home conditions would all but end their final ambitions.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Sai Sudharsan been ruled out of the India vs Sri Lanka Test series?
Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out due to a right toe stress reaction. He was undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and, despite making significant progress, remains unfit to play in either Test.
What are Sarfaraz Khan's Test cricket stats?
Sarfaraz Khan has played 6 Tests, scoring 371 runs at an average of 37.1 with a highest score of 150. He is known for his ability to handle both pace and spin effectively.
When and where are the India vs Sri Lanka Tests being played?
The first Test begins on 15 August in Galle, and the second Test is scheduled from 23 to 27 August at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo.
Why does this series matter for India's WTC campaign?
India currently sit fifth on the World Test Championship points table, while Sri Lanka are sixth. A strong result in this two-match series is important for India to boost their chances of qualifying for the WTC final.
Was Sarfaraz Khan part of India's recent overseas tours?
Yes, Sarfaraz was in India's squad for the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia but did not play any of the five matches. He also represented India A during the England tour but was not selected for the main Test squad for the five-match series in June-July 2025.
