India top-order batter ruled out of Sri Lanka Tests

Top-order batter Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, the BCCI confirmed on Sunday, 9 August.

The statement also said that Sudharsan has made significant progress in his recovery from the right toe stress reaction and is recovering well.

The 24-year-old's absence adds to a long list of injuries for India, with Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar, among others, also missing the two-Test series.

Sarfaraz Khan, who has played six Tests for India, has been named as the replacement in the squad.

The series is a key step in India and Sri Lanka's WTC final prospects, with the two teams in fifth and sixth place in the standings. India have a point percentage of 48.15 while Sri Lanka have 41.67.

Sudharsan's absence leaves a big hole in the top-order, but a strong showing of Devdutt Padikkal at No.3 in the warm-up match should put India at ease.

In his last Test appearance, Sudharsan had scored a composed 81 in a win against Afghanistan. 

India's updated squad: Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, Sarfaraz Khan

Test series schedule:

First Test: August 15-19, Galle
Second Test: August 23-27, Colombo