All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja returns to the Indian squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, starting August 15 in Galle.
The India men's senior selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, on Tuesday announced a 16-man squad, with Jadeja's inclusion a significant boost for the team. Washington Sundar, meanwhile, remains unavailable for the first Test.
The squad is largely on expected lines, with the core batting group retained. Shubman Gill will lead the side, with KL Rahul as his deputy. The pace attack features the familiar names of Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar, who has retained his spot after an impressive showing against Sri Lanka A.
Off-spinner Saransh Jain has earned his maiden call-up, while Manav Suthar impressed on his debut against Afghanistan. Suthar picked up six wickets and scored an unbeaten 70 in the final game of the India A tour of Sri Lanka.
Injury concerns persist, with both Sai Sudharsan and Jasprit Bumrah selected subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE). Bumrah is expected to be fit for the opening Test in Galle, but the selectors are unwilling to take any fitness-related risks for the series.
The selectors have handed Saransh Jain an India A opportunity on the recent tour of Sri Lanka, where he picked up six wickets and scored an unbeaten 70 in the final game. Jain has played 54 First-Class matches and has long been on the selectors' radar.
India are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka early in the first week of August before beginning preparations for a four-day warm-up match in Colombo, starting on August 7. The team will then head to Galle for the opening Test.
The selectors are taking a cautious approach with Bumrah's fitness, and even the slightest doubt over his fitness will ensure the think tank does not rush him back into the playing XI. This cautious approach is a reflection of the team's focus on securing a win in the series.
India's squad for the Tests against Sri Lanka is: Shubman Gill (C), KL Rahul (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain.
The team will now focus on finalizing preparations for the series, with the opening Test just around the corner. The Indian squad will be looking to make a strong start to the series and put pressure on Sri Lanka.
Source: Yahoo Sports