Washington Sundar for India in England - (Source: AFP)
After the shambolic defeats in Ireland and England, Team India is set to feature in a three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, but the main focus is on the the two Test matches vs Sri Lanka, starting from August 15.
The two-time WTC finalists are currently crawling in the mid-table in the current cycle, making the remaining three series must-wins for the Shubman Gill-led team. Thus, the visitors are set to play a practice game in Sri Lanka ahead of the Test series, as reported earlier.
Notably, the last time India toured the Island nation in 2017, when Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ravichandran Ashwin were the mainstays, all those stalwarts have retired, handing over the reins to the next generation.
BCCI awaiting clearance on Washington Sundar for IND vs SL Tests
According to the Times of India, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel has already finalised India’s Test squad for the Sri Lanka series, and it will be announced soon. That said, the BCCI selectors are awaiting clearance on Washington Sundar, who has reportedly injured his right hamstring.
While batting in the second ODI between India and England, the all-rounder sustained the injury, which not only didn’t allow him to bowl in the match but also ruled him out of the remainder of the series.
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The 26-year-old initially had his scans done in London, and now he is likely to check into the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru for his clearance.
If Sundar fails to get fit in time, the BCCI is said to pick either left-arm spinning all-rounder Harsh Dubey or offie all-rounder Saransh Jain.
Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah set to return for SL Tests
Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is all but confirmed to be included in the Test squad after missing the one-off Test against Afghanistan.
Kuldeep Yadav was in the limelight after missing selection throughout the ODI series in England, but the left-arm wrist-spinner will play a key part in Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, Manav Suthar, who won the Player of the Match in the IND vs AFG one-off Test, will also be picked.
Jasprit Bumrah is expected to lead the pace bowling attack, with Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar and Prasidh Krishna to be his subordinates.
Will Nitish Kumar Reddy's injury cause problems for India?
Fortunately, India have a sorted batting order, comprising Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, the biggest positives have to be the form of Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal, which they exemplified in the unofficial Tests vs Sri Lanka A.
However, Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is looked at as the designated number 6 batter, is injured and is still recovering from an aggravated left quadriceps injury. That said, Ravindra Jadeja and Dhruv Jurel will fill in for Reddy in the Sri Lankan conditions if the all-rounder fails to get fit in time.
The Indian assignment in Sri Lanka will officially begin at Galle with the first Test between August 15 & 19, before the caravan moves to Colombo on August 23.
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