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BCCI Finalises Sai Sudharsan’s Replacement For India vs Sri Lanka Tests

Abhinav Tyagi

Sai Sudharsan - (Source: AFP)Sai Sudharsan - (Source: AFP)

On Saturday, August 8, India dealt a heavy blow as their star batter Sai Sudharsan got ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. The southpaw was facing a race against time to be fit for the two Tests, but the 24-year-old won’t travel to Sri Lanka.

For the unversed, Sai Sudharsan suffered a toe injury recently, following which he checked in at the CoE. Sudharsan missed the ongoing warm-up match, but was set to travel to Sri Lanka for the two-match Test series starting on August 15.

In the latest events, Sai dealt a blow because the under-scanner CoE doctors didn’t give him the green-light to travel to Sri Lanka. Now, the eyes are on his replacement, and there is a major development.

Shaik Rasheed And Sarfaraz Khan Likely To Replace Sai Sudharsan

A report from Times of India mentioned that Sarfaraz Khan and Shaikh Rasheed are the two front-runners to replace Sai Sudharsan for the Sri Lanka Tests. Notably, Sarfaraz, who has not played a Test for India since November 2024, is already giving a fitness assessment test in Bengaluru.

Also Read: Sai Sudharsan Ruled Out Of India vs Sri Lanka Test Series

Meanwhile, the selectors are also impressed by Andhra-batter Shaik Rasheed, who had an impressive domestic tournament. The 21-year-old has been asked by the BCCI to report to the CoE by Sunday.

Why Shaik Rasheed Is Likely Pip To Sarfaraz Khan As Sai Sudarsan's Replacement?

Sarfaraz Khan and Shaik Rasheed both had a wonderful domestic season. Shaik Rasheed was also part of the recently concluded India A vs Sri Lanka A series where he scored 128 runs in 3 innings, averaging 42.67.

Rasheed scored a half-century and a fourty-plus score in that tour and the selectors are really impressed by his skillset. The 21-year-old also had a brilliant Ranji Trophy 2026 where he scored 627 runs in 11 innings, averaging 89.57.

Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan scored 429 runs in 9 innings, averaging 53.3. Further, Shaik Rasheed is likely to pip Khan as Sai Sudharsan's replacement because the TimesofIndia report mentioned that the selectors want Sarfaraz to bat high up in the order.

Sarfaraz has been told by key figures to bat high up in the order because he is in scheme of things by the selectors.

Sai Sudharsan Joins Long-List Of Injured India Stars

Sai Sudharsan has joined long-list of injured Indians ahead of Sri Lanka Tests. Notably, the southpaw was subject to fitness when the squad was announced. Ahead of the upcoming challenge, India have already lost two key players to injury.

Besides Sai Sudharsan, Jasprit Bumrah has also been ruled out of the Sri Lanka Tests. Further, captain Shubman Gill is also nursing a finger injury he sustained during nets, resulting in his absence from the ongoing warm-up match between India and Sri Lanka XI. 

Also Read: Hardik Pandya Suffers Fresh Injury Setback As India Comeback Delayed