The Indian cricket team’s squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka is expected to be announced later this week, according to multiple reports. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is likely to meet formally to finalise the squad, with key decisions revolving around injured all-rounders Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
India are scheduled to leave for Sri Lanka on August 4 and will play a practice match ahead of the Test series, which begins on August 15 in Galle. The series marks another crucial assignment in India’s ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) campaign.
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One of the biggest boosts for the visitors is expected to be the return of senior stars Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, both of whom were rested for the recently concluded one-off Test against Afghanistan. Their inclusion will significantly strengthen both the pace and spin departments as India aim to improve their position in the WTC standings.
According to a report by The Times of India, the selectors have already held informal discussions during India’s white-ball tour of England and are now waiting for medical updates before making the final call on a few players.
Washington Sundar remains the biggest injury concern. The all-rounder suffered a right hamstring injury during the second ODI against England and is expected to report to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) for further assessment. While the BCCI has not specified the severity of the injury, reports suggest that even a Grade 1 strain could sideline him for at least two weeks, putting his availability for the Sri Lanka series in serious doubt.
Another player under observation is all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has been recovering from an injury that ruled him out before India’s England series. His fitness status will also be reviewed before the selectors finalise the squad.
The bowling attack is expected to feature a balanced mix of experience and youth. Alongside Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar are likely to form the pace unit. In the spin department, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar are expected to retain their places, with Jadeja returning as the lead spinning all-rounder.
The Sri Lanka tour holds significant importance for India’s World Test Championship ambitions. Currently placed fifth in the WTC standings, India face a demanding schedule that includes away series in Sri Lanka and New Zealand before hosting Australia for a high-profile five-Test series later this cycle. Every Test victory will be crucial as India seek to strengthen their chances of qualifying for another WTC final.
India vs Sri Lanka Test Series Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | August 15–19 | Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle |
| 2nd Test | August 23–27 | Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Colombo |
