Washington Sundar Faces Fitness Race Ahead of Sri Lanka Series
Washington Sundar‘s availability in the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka is very doubtful after injuring his right hamstring in the second one-day international against England at Sophie Gardens in Cardiff.
According to a BCCI source, he has a slim possibility of attending the tour, therefore team management would have to make plans without him.
Even if Washington is officially ruled out, the selectors are unlikely to select a straight replacement, according to The Times of India. The board will conduct a thorough examination the following week before making a final judgement for the selection committee and team management.
Washington was only chosen for the second Test due to his uncertain fitness levels. He has not played much since incurring the injury in England last month.
His task is being gradually increased. At the time, the possibilities of Washington visiting Sri Lanka are small. The team management has been instructed to plan accordingly. The BCCI medical team is hesitant about putting him in a Test match.
According to a BCCI source, some players have experienced breakdowns after recuperating from injuries. Washington will join the team as the 16th member.
It must be determined whether it is worthwhile to send him for a Test match without any game time. A complete assessment will be conducted next week, including how the team is located in Sri Lanka,” the insider stated.
Will the selectors name Washington Sundar’s replacement?
Washington’s likely absence adds to India’s growing injury concerns. Jasprit Bumrah’s return date is questionable after suffering a knee injury in England last month.
Akash Deep has been absent since January due to a stress fracture in his back, while Sai Sudharsan is also injured. The CoE aimed to increase Bumrah’s workload ahead of the Test series in Sri Lanka.
It was believed that he would not be ready in time. He has not bowled in longer formats for quite some time. The CoE is very concerned about him. They have not provided a timeline for him.
According to a source, Indian cricket may need to prepare for life without Bumrah, particularly in longer forms after next year. The CoE’s goal for Akash Deep was to ensure his cricket fitness by the Sri Lanka tour.
That has not happened. They have yet to communicate a timeline to team management or the selecting committee. It is not simple to recover from a back injury.
The team’s management believes he’ll be available for the vital New Zealand visit. “It will be beneficial to the team if both Bumrah and Akash are available for the two Tests in New Zealand,” the source said.
What does India have to lose in the Test series against Sri Lanka?
The second Test of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka is scheduled for August 23 at the SSC ground in Colombo. The first Test will begin on August 15 at Galle. The series’ outcome will have a significant impact on India’s World Test Championship chances.
India is currently rated fifth among the nine teams competing in the WTC 2025-27. To remain in contention for a berth in the WTC final, they must win at least seven of their final nine Test matches, according to the information now available.
That work is made much more difficult by the absence of key players like as Washington, Bumrah, and Akash Deep, but the board has made no public statements on the tactical implications of this absence.
