India have announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. The biggest talking point is the maiden Test call-up for all-rounder Saransh Jain. The series will also see the return of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja after injury layoffs.
Saransh Jain has earned his place after consistent performances in domestic cricket and on the recent India A tour of Sri Lanka. The 25-year-old has impressed with both bat and ball in first-class cricket. He has scored 2,223 runs and taken 188 wickets in 54 matches.
His selection comes after Washington Sundar was ruled out with a hamstring injury. The all-rounder suffered the injury during the ODI series against England.
Bumrah and Jadeja Boost India
Jasprit Bumrah returns after missing India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan. Ravindra Jadeja is also back after recovering from a tennis elbow injury. Their return gives India more experience ahead of an important Test series. Bumrah will strengthen the pace attack, while Jadeja will provide balance with his all-round abilities.
The first Test will be played at the Galle International Stadium from August 15. The second Test will begin on August 23 at the SSC in Colombo. Before the series, India will play a four-day practice match in Colombo from August 7.
The Sri Lanka tour is India’s first assignment in the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. India are looking to bounce back after a 2-0 home Test series defeat to South Africa. Before that, they drew the five-Test series 2-2 in England and defeated the West Indies 2-0 at home. India are currently fifth in the WTC standings, while Sri Lanka are sixth.
India Test squad: Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal and Saransh Jain.
Subject to fitness clearance.
