India Test squad vs Sri Lanka: 33-year-old's maiden call-up

The off-spin bowling all-rounder, Saransh Jain, has earned a maiden call-up to the Indian squad at the age of 33 for the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka. Their premier pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, has also returned to the squad. However, his and Sai Sudharsan’s availability is subject to the fitness clearance from BCCI’s CoE.

Washington Sundar was unavailable for selection for the first Test match due to the hamstring injury that he picked up during the recently finished ODI series against England in the United Kingdom.

India vs Sri Lanka Test squad: Ravindra Jadeja returns, 33-year-old earns maiden India call-up

Ravindra Jadeja has recovered from the tennis elbow injury and is also part of the squad. Sundar’s injury, however, has opened the door for Madhya Pradesh’s Jain, who will be up against several left-handed batters of the Sri Lankan side.

The 33-year-old was impressive during the recent tour of India A to Sri Lanka, where he scored an unbeaten 70 besides picking up six wickets in the second four-day game. In all, he has 2223 runs at an average of 31.75 and 188 wickets in 54 first-class games at an average of 27.30.

If Sudharsan fails to get full fitness, Devdutt Padikkal can slot in No. 3. In the fast-bowling department, India have gone with Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and uncapped Gurnoor Brar. Manav Suthar, who picked up seven wickets on Test debut against Afghanistan, has retained his place.

India’s Test squad for Sri Lanka-

Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), 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. (*Subject to fitness clearance).

India vs Sri Lanka 2026 full schedule: Match dates, timings and venues

The first Test of the two-match series for India begins on August 15 in Galle while the second game will be on August 23 at the SSC in Colombo. Ahead of the series, the team will also play a four-day practice game in Colombo, which will begin on August 07. All the games will be played on 10:00 am IST.

The series in Sri Lanka will be India’s first in the World Test Championship cycle since the 2-0 home defeat to South Africa in November.

Before that, they had drawn a five-match Test series in England by a 2-2 margin after Shubman Gill was appointed the new leader of the red-ball side. They beat the West Indies 2-0 at home, while India are fifth in the WTC standings, and Sri Lanka are in sixth position.