New Delhi: The India men’s senior selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, on Tuesday announced a 15-member squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, starting August 15 in Galle. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja returns after being rested for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, while off-spinner Saransh Jain has earned his maiden call-up. Washington Sundar, meanwhile, remains unavailable for the first Test. Injury concerns persist, with both Sai Sudharsan and Jasprit Bumrah selected subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE). Otherwise, the squad is largely on expected lines, with the core batting group retained. The pace attack features the familiar names of Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Bumrah and Gurnoor Brar, who has retained his spot after an impressive showing against Sri Lanka A.In the spin department, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are expected to lead the attack alongside Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain. Suthar impressed on his debut against Afghanistan, while Jain has been preferred as the specialist off-spinner in Washington Sundar’s absence.The 33-year-old has played 54 First-Class matches and has long been on the selectors’ radar. They also handed him an India A opportunity on the recent tour of Sri Lanka, where he picked up six wickets and scored an unbeaten 70 in the final game.TimesofIndia.com has learnt that the selectors are unwilling to take any fitness-related risks for the series, and both Sudharsan and Bumrah will play only if they meet all the fitness benchmarks at the CoE. It is understood that Bumrah is expected to be fit for the opening Test in Galle, but even the slightest doubt over his fitness will ensure the think tank does not rush him back into the playing XI.India are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka early in the first week of August before beginning preparations for a four-day warm-up match in Colombo, starting on August 7.
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India’s squad for the Tests against Sri Lanka: Shubman Gill (C), KL Rahul (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain.Note:
- Sai Sudharsan and Jasprit Bumrah’s availability will be subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI CoE.
- Washington Sundar was unavailable for selection for the first Test.
