Sarfaraz Khan Poised to Replace Injured Sai Sudharsan for India vs Sri Lanka Test Series 2026: Report

Mumbai's prolific run-scorer Sarfaraz Khan is set to receive a call-up to the Indian Test squad, as he is widely expected to replace the injured Sai Sudharsan for the upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka. The news comes as a significant blow to the Indian camp, which is already grappling with a string of injury concerns ahead of their ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle campaign. Shubman Gill Resumes Batting Practice Following Finger Injury Ahead of IND vs SL Test Series 2026.

A BCCI source to ANI, mentioned 'Sarfaraz Khan is likely to replace injured Sai Sudharsan in the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka'. Sai Sudharsan, a 24-year-old left-handed batter, sustained a stress reaction in his right big toe during India A's tour of Sri Lanka in June-July 2026 and, despite intensive rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, has failed to recover in time for the crucial series. He had been in impressive form, notably scoring two centuries in as many unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka A, making his absence a considerable setback for the touring side.

India's Injury Woes Deepen

Sudharsan's withdrawal adds to India's growing injury list. Regular Test skipper Shubman Gill, 26, also suffered an impact injury to his right ring finger during practice and subsequently missed the opening days of the ongoing three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI in Colombo.  Gill, however, came out to bat on Day 3 of the IND vs SL XI warm-up, with India looking to chase down 207 runs to win the contest, and head into the Test series with confidence.

Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, 32, was previously ruled out due to a left knee injury sustained during the ODI series against England in July 2026 and has been replaced by uncapped pacer Auqib Nabi. Harshit Rana (hamstring), Nitish Kumar Reddy (quad), Washington Sundar (hamstring), and Akash Deep are also reportedly sidelined with various ailments.

Sarfaraz Khan's Resurgent Form

Sarfaraz Khan's potential inclusion is a testament to his exceptional domestic form. The right-handed middle-order batter has been a consistent performer in first-class cricket, and his recent exploits make a compelling case for his selection. In January 2026, during the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 match against Hyderabad, Sarfaraz smashed a masterful 227 runs off just 219 balls, his 17th first-class century and fifth career double-century. This knock propelled his first-class average to an impressive 65.26 after 61 games (91 innings), placing him among the top batsmen in domestic cricket. .

Furthermore, Sarfaraz had a memorable Test debut for India in February 2024 against England in Rajkot, where he scored twin fifties (62 and 68*), showcasing his ability to perform at the highest level. His aggressive batting style, particularly against spin, is expected to be a valuable asset in Sri Lankan conditions.

Another contender for Sudharsan's spot is Shaik Rasheed, who has also reportedly been asked to report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for assessment. However, Sarfaraz is currently considered the front-runner. Sarfaraz Khan’s Cryptic Post Goes Viral Amidst Team India Snub, Says ‘I May Not Fit In, But ..’.

India vs Sri Lanka Test Series Schedule

The two-match Test series is a crucial part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.

The final squad decision from the BCCI is eagerly anticipated, as India aims for a strong start to their World Test Championship campaign despite the mounting injury challenges.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 09, 2026 03:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).