India squad for the Sri Lanka Tour was announced on Tuesday, after the men’s selection committee selected the team for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.
Ahead of the series, the team will play a four-day practice match in Colombo, starting on August 7.
Sai Sudharsan and Jasprit Bumrah’s availability will be subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI COE.
Washington Sundar will not be available for selection for the first Test.
Bumrah is yet to report to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He missed the final ODI against England at Lord’s because of “an impact injury on his left knee”, though it isn’t considered to be too serious.
Bumrah’s workload is always a matter of much debate and concern. He was rested for the one-off Test and ODI series against Afghanistan in June, as well as the T20Is against Ireland and England.
The composition of the pace attack will be on expected lines, comprising Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. Gurnoor Brar has strengthened his case with an impressive outing against Sri Lanka A, where he claimed a match haul of 10 wickets in the second four-day game. He also made his senior India debut during the ODI series against Afghanistan. Jammu and Kashmir’s Auqib Nabi could also be tried out.
The two Tests are a part of the World Test Championship cycle, and Bumrah’s participation is important for the team. India are languishing in fifth position on the WTC table after Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Bangladesh.
Besides the Tests in Galle and Colombo from August 15, the two Tests in New Zealand and five in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home will be of huge significance for India.