Team India has suffered another setback ahead of the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Young batter Sai Sudarshan is set to miss the series after failing to recover fully from an injury.
Although an official confirmation from the BCCI is still awaited, reports indicate that Sudarshan will not be available for the Tests.
Sudarshan had been working at the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru as he continued his rehabilitation. The batter was expected to regain full fitness and join the Indian squad, but his recovery has not progressed enough for him to be cleared for the Sri Lanka series.
The injury occurred during his recent India A tour of Sri Lanka, where Sudarshan produced an impressive run of form. He scored 332 runs in four innings at a remarkable average of 166.00 and also smashed two centuries. His performances had strengthened his case for a place in India’s Test plans.
While Sudarshan has made considerable progress in his recovery, he has reportedly continued to experience discomfort. He has already managed to bat continuously for around 75 minutes in the nets and reached a speed of 24 kmph during conditioning drills, indicating that his overall fitness has improved significantly. However, the lingering pain has prevented him from receiving the final clearance.
Sudarshan’s absence comes at an unfortunate time for India. The team has already lost premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah for the Test series, and losing another promising player further complicates the selection puzzle.
The good news for India is that Devdutt Padikkal has given the team management something to consider. Padikkal scored a century while batting at No. 3 in the practice match, making him a strong candidate to replace Sudarshan in the playing XI.
Padikkal’s performance could prove particularly important because India’s top-order combination will need to be settled before the opening Test. His century has arrived at the perfect time and could give the selectors confidence in handing him the No. 3 role.
With Bumrah already unavailable and Sudarshan now facing an extended spell on the sidelines, India will hope that the remaining players can step up when the Sri Lanka series begins. The final squad and Sudarshan’s replacement are expected to bring further clarity to India’s plans for the crucial Test assignment.