09 August,2026 04:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
VVS Laxman, Virat Kohli (Pic: File Pic)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India's Centre of Excellence (CoE) head VVS Laxman has heaped praise on Team India's superstar Virat Kohli. The former cricketer called the Delhi-born cricketer a "great role model".
Speaking during a press conference in Bengaluru, the BCCI's CoE head said, "I think there is no doubt that Virat is an exemplary professional. And the standards he sets for himself are something which he tries and goes out every time he plays (for) whichever team to meet those standards".
"And that's why he is a great role model. And I think a lot of youngsters or players want to emulate him," added Laxman.
On the other hand, Team India is all set to lock horns with Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series. The first match is scheduled to be played from August 15 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium near Galle Fort.
Ahead of the first match, Indian batsman Sarfaraz Khan is likely to replace injured batsman Sai Sudharsan, according to a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) source.
Sudharsan had sustained an injury, which could rule him out of the upcoming series.
"Sarfaraz Khan is likely to replace injured Sai Sudharsan in the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka," a BCCI source said.
The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer has been undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. The left-handed batsman also participated in the batting and fielding drills, but he is unlikely to make his appearance in the first Test match against Sri Lanka.
He also missed out on the ongoing three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI, which is underway in Colombo.
Team India's lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah has also been ruled out of the series as he has not yet fully recovered from the left knee injury which he had sustained during the recently concluded ODI series against England. Following his absence, the BCCI has announced Auqib Nabi as his replacement in India's squad. This is his maiden call-up to the senior national team.
Shubman Gill (C), KL Rahul (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sai Sudharsan', Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi.
(With ANI Inputs)
