India batter Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka due to a right-toe stress reaction, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Sarfaraz Khan as his replacement in the squad.
Sudharsan had been undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru following the injury. According to the board, the left-handed batter has made significant progress in his recovery, with the BCCI medical team continuing to monitor his condition. However, he will not be fit in time to participate in the Sri Lanka series.
The decision is a setback for Sudharsan, who has emerged as an important option in India’s Test batting group. His absence creates an opportunity for Sarfaraz, who returns to the squad with another chance to strengthen his position in the red-ball setup.
Sarfaraz has previously represented India in Test cricket and impressed with his ability to score quickly while maintaining a strong record in domestic cricket. His inclusion gives the team an experienced middle-order option as India prepare for the challenging conditions in Sri Lanka.
The replacement comes ahead of India’s two-Test tour of Sri Lanka. The series is part of the team’s ongoing international schedule and will provide an important opportunity for players to establish themselves in the Test side. For Sarfaraz, the call-up offers another opportunity to make a case for a regular place in India’s Test team. With Sudharsan unavailable, the focus will now shift to how the selectors and team management use the replacement during the Sri Lanka series.
