Huge setback for India: Rana, Reddy out of Sri Lanka Test series, Sundar Bumrah Sudharsan's fitness becomes headache

Days ahead of the selection for two-Test series against Sri Lanka, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has a headache. Sports Tak has learnt that Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy are unavailable for selection due to their respective injuries. Washington Sundar is unavailable for the series opener whereas pace-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and designated no.3 batter Sai Sudharsan’s participating is subject to fitness.

Sundar’s availability for the second Test is subject to fitness as well. He is highly likely to miss the Galle Test which will begin on August 15. The second Test will be played at Colombo's Sinhalese Sports Club starting August 23.

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Bumrah has been advised rest until July 30. He will report to the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru later. Sudharsan’s participation will be subject to fitness as well. However, he is on the road to recovery. Both Bumrah and Sudharsan can be named in the Test squad with an asterisk in front of their name.

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The Test squad will be announce on July 28 after a virtual meeting, confirmed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia on July 25.

Jadeja to return

Meanwhile, veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is set to return. With Manav Suthar claiming seven wickets on debut, there is a question mark on whether Harsh Dubey will retain his place.

Gurnoor Brar showcased his talent by taking 10 wickets including a six-fer for India A against Sri Lanka A after his debut ODI series against Afghanistan. Before conceding 97 runs in the Lord's ODI, he picked a couple of wickets in each of the first two ODIs as well. He may retain his place if India's fast-bowling stocks are depleted. Also, the proven domestic performer Auqib Nabi Dar made his case with a four-fer on India A debut. However, he couldn't make an impact in the second game of the series.

Before the Test series opener in Galle, India will play a warm-up game starting on August 7.

Crucial series for Team India

India are currently placed fifth in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 table with four wins, four losses and a draw from nine Tests. Shubman Gill-led side would be looking to move up the table with a Test series win on Sri Lanka soil. Recently, Sri Lanka were humbled in West Indies as the latter won the series 1-0.