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 this timeline, noting that selectors are currently evaluating fitness updates for key players, including Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar.
The Shubman Gill-led squad is scheduled to play two Test matches in Sri Lanka as part of their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) commitments. The first Test is slated to begin on August 15 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium (GICS), concluding on August 19. Following this, the second and final Test will take place at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo from August 23 to August 27.
Player Fitness Concerns
A primary concern for the selection committee revolves around the fitness of pace leader Jasprit Bumrah. He missed the recent series-deciding third 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 closely, with the Test series still several weeks away, potentially allowing him sufficient time to recover and join the team in Sri Lanka.
However, it remains uncertain whether Bumrah will be able to travel with the squad in the first week of August. The Indian team is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka by August 4 and will play a four-day warm-up match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) in Colombo from August 7 to August 10 to acclimatise to the local conditions.
Another player whose fitness is under review 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, which marks India‘s first Test tour to Sri Lanka since 2017.
Anticipated Returns and Bowling Options
Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is expected to make his return to the Indian Test side. His all-round skills are anticipated to be valuable against Sri Lanka. Jadeja had previously played an ODI against New Zealand in January but was rested from a one-off game against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh and was not selected for the ODI series in England.
The pace attack is likely to feature 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 had an impressive debut against Afghanistan. Washington Sundar could potentially be the third spinner, having secured a four-wicket haul in the second innings against the Afghans at Mullanpur, while left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey is set to continue as a back-up slow bowler.
Review Meeting Scheduled
In related news, the BCCI is planning a review meeting to discuss the national team’s recent white-ball performances. This meeting is expected to take place in early August, following the conclusion of the ongoing T20I series against Zimbabwe. Devajit Saikia confirmed that this review will happen sometime in the beginning of August.
Top BCCI officials are understood to be meeting at the headquarters in Mumbai. Attendees are expected to include head coach Gautam Gambhir, T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, Centre of Excellence (COE) head of cricket VVS Laxman, and the five-member selection panel. This meeting will address long-term tactical planning, the execution of game plans in overseas conditions, and the broader roadmap leading into the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup, following recent T20I series defeats in Ireland and England, and an ODI series loss.
The Indian Test squad for Sri Lanka will be announced by Tuesday.
Source: m.rediff.com
