India Recall Ravindra Jadeja for Sri Lanka Tests, Saransh Jain Gets Maiden Call-Up

India has picked a 15-member squad for the forthcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, with all-rounder Saransh Jain making his senior debut. The series sees the return of experienced campaigners Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, who were absent for India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan.

Jain has been awarded for his outstanding efforts in domestic cricket and in the recent India A tour of Sri Lanka. The 25-year-old all-rounder has a great first-class record, with 2,223 runs and 188 wickets in 54 matches. His participation comes after Washington Sundar was ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury suffered during the ODI series against England.

Jadeja also returns after recovering from a tennis elbow injury that held him out of recent international competition. His presence, along with that of Bumrah, brings substantial experience and skill to an Indian team anxious to get off to a solid start in the 2017 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Bumrah’s return will help the pace attack, and Jadeja’s all-round abilities will be critical on twisting tracks.

The series will begin with the first test on August 15 at the Galle International Stadium, followed by the second test on August 23 at the SSC in Colombo. Before the series begins, Ind will play a four-day practice match in Colombo beginning on 7 August, giving the team important preparation for the opening Test.

The Sri Lanka visit marks Ind first assignment in the current WTC cycle, following a devastating 2-0 home series defeat to South Africa in November.

Prior to that setback, India had tied a hard-fought five-Test series 2-2 in England and won 2-0 at home against the West Indies. Ind is currently in fifth place in the WTC standings, with Sri Lanka slightly behind them in sixth.

India’s squad for the Sri Lanka Tests: