Sarfaraz Khan replaces injured Sai Sudharsan in India’s squad for Sri Lanka Test series
New Delhi: Sarfaraz Khan has finally got another opportunity in India’s Test squad, replacing injured for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which will begin on August 15. The Mumbai batter was handed another chance to revive his international career after spending nearly two years out of the team.
He was last picked in the Indian team during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy but has been out since then. Sarfaraz last played for India in November 2024 against New Zealand, where he smashed a century in the opening Test in Bengaluru and was one of the crucial performers for India. The hosts suffered a historic 3-0 whitewash at home in that series.
“He will link up with the Indian squad in Colombo before the team travels to Galle for the first Test match, starting August 15, 2026,” the BCCI said in an official statement on Sunday.
🚨 NEWS 🚨
Sai Sudharsan ruled out of the #SLvIND Test series; Sarfaraz Khan named replacement.
Details 🔽 #TeamIndia https://t.co/lF6h8jabZd pic.twitter.com/Dk0C4HI37p
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 9, 2026
Sarfaraz has a brilliant first-class average of 64.73 from 62 games, but has had limited opportunities to play for India. Despite producing consistent performances in the Ranji Trophy over the years, he has managed just six Test appearances for India.
He was recalled to the team after Sudharsan was ruled out of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka due to a right toe stress reaction. He has been recovering at the in Bengaluru, and the medical team continues to monitor his condition.
The left-handed batter suffered the injury during India A’s tour of Sri Lanka last month. Sudharsan had established himself as India’s No. 3 batter in the recent Test series and was in good form, smashing two centuries in as many unofficial Tests.
However, he got hit on the toe during the second match against Sri Lanka A and has been undergoing rehabilitation at the CoE in Bengaluru since then. Despite making significant progress, the batter has failed to recover in time for the upcoming series.
India’s updated squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka
Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, Sarfaraz Khan.