Sai Sudharsan To Miss Sri Lanka Tests Due To Injury
Sai Sudharsan, a star Indian batter, has been ruled out of India’s two-match Test series against Sri Lanka after failing to recuperate from a toe injury, removing a definite starter from the top order ahead of the first test in Galle on August 15.
The 24-year-old Tamil Nadu batsman was named to the 15-member squad announced on July 28, but his inclusion was contingent on clearing a fitness test. He did not board the flight with the rest of the squad when India flew to Sri Lanka on August 4, and is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, according to reports citing a BCCI source.
The selectors are anticipated to announce a replacement for Sudharsan within the next few days.
How did Sudharsan sustain his injury?
The toe ailment first appeared during the second unofficial Test between India A and Sri Lanka A at Galle in June-July 2026, when Sudharsan was forced to withdraw injured. Despite the setback, the selectors kept him in the senior team, with his availability pending a pre-series fitness clearance.
That clearance was not provided, effectively ending his role in the series. Sudharsan arrived at the selection table in excellent form: he reached 81 in the first innings of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June 2026, and centuries in the first innings of both India A match against Sri Lanka A in Galle in June-July 2026, and concluded the 2026 IPL with over 700 runs for the Gujarat Titans.
He had been named India’s No. 3 for both Tests before the injury sidelined him.
Who is likely to fill India’s No. 3 spot?
Devdutt Padikkal is likely to move up to third place in Sudharsan’s absence. Padikkal made a strong case for himself during the tour match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo, scoring 103 runs off 121 balls on Day 2.
India is also examining a separate fitness issue at the top of the rankings. Captain Shubman Gill injured his right ring finger during a practice session ahead of the first Test, thus KL Rahul took up the captaincy for the warm-up game while Gill rested. Gill’s availability for August 15 is unknown.
