IND vs SL 2026: Sarfaraz Khan Replaces Injured Sai Sudharsan in India’s Test Squad

Sarfaraz Khan has been added to India’s Test squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka series after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out with a right toe stress reaction.

Sudharsan is currently recovering at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The first Test between India and Sri Lanka will begin on August 15 in Galle.

The BCCI said Sudharsan has made good progress in his recovery, but he will not be available for the start of the series.

Sarfaraz returns to the Indian Test team after last playing for the country in 2024. He has played six Tests, scoring one century and three fifties in his international career.

The right-hander has also been in good form in domestic cricket. He averaged 53.62 in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season before earning his return to the Test squad.

However, Sarfaraz could face competition for a place in the playing XI. Devdutt Padikkal is currently the front-runner to bat at No. 3 after scoring an unbeaten 142 in India’s warm-up match against SLC XI.

Padikkal’s century has strengthened his case to replace Sudharsan in the middle order. Sarfaraz will now add another batting option to India’s squad for the two-Test series.

The selection also creates a scheduling issue for Sarfaraz, who was picked in the West Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy. The tournament overlaps with India’s Test series against Sri Lanka.

India will be led by Shubman Gill, with KL Rahul serving as vice-captain. The squad also includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.

The updated squad also features Dhruv Jurel, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi.