India batter Sarfaraz Khan is likely to be added to the squad as a replacement for the injured Sai Sudharsan for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, according to sources in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Sudharsan is understood to have suffered an injury that could prevent him from featuring in the series, with the opening Test scheduled to begin in Galle on August 15. The final decision on his replacement is expected to be taken by the BCCI and its Men’s Selection Committee.

“Sarfaraz Khan is likely to replace injured Sai Sudharsan in the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka,” a BCCI source said. Sudharsan has been undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. The left-handed batter has also taken part in batting and fielding drills during his recovery, but he is unlikely to regain full fitness in time for the first Test.

The batter did not travel with the Indian squad when the team departed for Sri Lanka and consequently missed the ongoing three-day warm-up game against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo. The practice match began on Friday, August 8, and is being used by the Indian team as part of its preparations for the Test series.

If Sarfaraz is brought into the squad, it would provide India with another middle-order option at a time when the team is dealing with several fitness concerns. Sarfaraz has previously been part of India’s Test setup and has impressed at the domestic level with his prolific run-scoring.

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India’s preparations have been further complicated by an injury concern involving captain Shubman Gill. Gill sustained an impact injury to his right ring finger during a practice session ahead of the opening Test. As a precautionary measure, he was ruled out of the first day of the warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI, with vice-captain KL Rahul leading the side in his absence.

The BCCI said in a post on X that its medical team was monitoring Gill’s progress following the injury. India are already without premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah for the Sri Lanka series. Bumrah has not fully recovered from a left knee injury sustained during the ODI series against England and was subsequently ruled out of the two-Test assignment. The Men’s Selection Committee has included seamer Aquib Nabi in the squad as his replacement.

The list of injury concerns extends further. Pacer Harshit Rana and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy are sidelined with hamstring and quadriceps injuries, respectively. Washington Sundar has also been ruled out of the opening Test after suffering a hamstring issue, while pacer Akash Deep remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from stress reactions in his back.

The mounting injury list has placed additional emphasis on India’s squad depth ahead of the series. The absence of several established players could give fringe members an opportunity to stake their claim in the Test setup.

The Sri Lanka series is also important in the context of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. India, led by Gill, are currently fifth in the WTC standings. They have registered four wins and four defeats in nine matches, with a Points Percentage (PCT) of 48.150.
With the first Test scheduled for August 15 in Galle, India will be hoping for clarity on the fitness of its