IND vs SL Test Series 2026: After Bumrah, Sai Sudharshan has also been ruled out of the Test series against Sri Lanka. The question now is who will replace him? Find out who the three strongest contenders are.
Sai Sudarshan Replacement for IND vs SL Test Series
Team India has suffered another major setback on the Sri Lanka tour. Left-handed batsman Sai Sudarshan has been ruled out of the two-match Test series due to injury. Sai is suffering from a stress fracture in his right leg. He is currently at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. According to reports, he practiced in the nets for over an hour and even ran at a speed of 24 kilometers per hour. However, he still has pain in his thumb. Now the question is who will replace him. Find out who the three strongest contenders are.
Sarfaraz Khan
28-year-old Sarfaraz Khan is a frontrunner for a potential return to Team India as a replacement for Sai Sudarshan. The right-handed middle-order batsman made his Test debut for India in 2024. However, he hasn't had another opportunity since November 2024, last playing a Test against New Zealand in November 2024. In the six Tests he has played for India, he has scored 371 runs in 11 innings, including one century and three half-centuries.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Right-handed batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad is also a strong contender to replace Sudarshan. He has played nine ODIs and 23 T20Is for India, though he has yet to make his Test debut. However, he has impressed with his impressive performances in domestic tournaments, and there are persistent calls for his inclusion in the team. Gaikwad has scored 3,294 runs in 47 first-class matches at an average of 44.51, including nine centuries and 17 half-centuries. A positive for him is his ability to play well against spin. The pitches in Sri Lanka will be favorable for spin.
Shreyas Iyer
The selectors have shown considerable confidence in 31-year-old Shreyas Iyer for some time now. He was recalled to the T20 team and immediately appointed captain. Iyer has played 14 Tests for India, scoring 811 runs in 24 innings. His average is 36.86. He has scored one century and five half-centuries in Tests. Iyer played his last Test in February 2024. While it wouldn't be surprising if he returned to the Test team, he has also impressed in domestic cricket. Iyer is considered a formidable batsman against spin in limited-overs cricket. Will the selectors bring him back to the Test team?
India vs Sri Lanka head-to-head record in Tests
India vs Sri Lanka Test series schedule
The first Test between India and Sri Lanka will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from August 15th. The second Test will be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground from August 23rd to 27th. Both Tests will begin at 10:00 AM IST. The matches will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the Sony Liv app.
