Sai Sudharsan reportedly ruled out as India face mounting injury crisis ahead of Sri Lanka Tests

Sai Sudharsan (File pic)

India's left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka owing to an injury, a BCCI source confirmed to ANI on Saturday.

Sudharsan has been undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru, where he participated in light batting and fielding drills. However, he was not expected to achieve full fitness in time for the series opener set to begin in Galle on August 15.

"Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of India's two-match Test series against Sri Lanka due to an injury. The batter reportedly trained at the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru, where he also took part in batting and fielding drills. However, he was unlikely to recover in time for the first Test against Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin in Galle on August 15," a BCCI source told ANI.

Sudharsan did not travel with the squad to Sri Lanka, missing the ongoing three-day warm-up fixture against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo that began on Friday.

Shubman Gill injured as injury crisis deepens

Meanwhile, Indian captain Shubman Gill suffered an impact injury to his right ring finger during a net session leading up to the tour. KL Rahul stepped up to captain the side during the warm-up match while the medical team monitored Gill.

BCCI posted on X, "Update: Captain Shubman Gill sustained an impact injury to his right ring finger during India's practice on Thursday. As a precautionary measure, he will not take the field on Day 1 of the warm-up game against SLC XI. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress. KL Rahul will lead the team in Gill's absence."

India's bowling department faces significant setbacks as well. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah misses the series after failing to recover from a knee issue, with Aquib Nabi named as his replacement. Additionally, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Akash Deep remain unavailable due to various injuries. The series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.

Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the opening Test with a hamstring issue, while Akash Deep remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from stress reactions in his back. The series will form part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.

(With inputs from ANI)