India Test squad for Sri Lanka tour reviewed: Continuity wins over reset

Sri Lanka has often served as a proving ground for India’s spin-heavy Test combinations, and this squad reads as a vote for continuity rather than reset.

There are no headline-grabbing surprises, but the selection offers a clearer glimpse into how Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill see the side’s future. In backing familiar names while rewarding domestic performers around the fringes, the group answers several questions left hanging after India’s difficult home campaign against South Africa.

The clearest signal is continued faith in Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm wrist-spinner endured a lean run that put his place under scrutiny, but the selectors haven’t moved on. They remain convinced he is India’s most potent attacking spin option alongside Ravindra Jadeja, especially on pitches expected to turn.

Washington Sundar’s absence for the first Test, through injury, alters the balance of the attack — India is without an off-spinning all-rounder, who also lengthens the lower order. Saransh Jain’s maiden call-up, offering off-spin variation in an otherwise left-arm-heavy spin group, addresses that gap. The 33-year-old impressed on the recent India A tour of Sri Lanka, scoring an unbeaten 70 and claiming six wickets in the second four-day match. Overall, he has amassed 2,223 runs at an average of 31.75 and taken 188 wickets at 27.30 in 54 first-class matches.

Manav Suthar, who claimed seven wickets on his Test debut against Afghanistan, has deservedly retained his place. However, with Ravindra Jadeja returning, there was no room for Harsh Dubey.

The batting group tells the same story. Devdutt Padikkal is coming off a strong India A tour, but Sai Sudharsan retains pole position at No. 3 — subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. If fit, his selection reaffirms the management’s belief that his technique and temperament are worth persevering with despite an inconsistent start to his Test career. Padikkal’s inclusion ensures genuine competition rather than an uncontested claim to the spot.

The pace attack follows the same logic. With Jasprit Bumrah also awaiting fitness clearance, India has resisted the urge to gamble on an inexperienced quick. Prasidh Krishna keeps his place after regular recent Test cricket, while Gurnoor Brar’s call-up rewards an impressive run across domestic and limited-overs cricket. Auqib Nabi, who strengthened his case on the India A tour, misses out — suggesting the selectors still view Gurnoor as the more complete long-term option.

The core that toured England last year remains largely intact; the changes are driven by fitness, not form.

The first Test will be played in Galle from August 15, followed by the second at the SSC in Colombo from August 23. Ahead of the series, India will play a four-day practice match in Colombo, beginning on August 7.

The tour marks India’s first assignment in the new World Test Championship cycle since its 2-0 home defeat to South Africa in November. Before that setback, India had drawn the five-Test series in England 2-2 and swept the West Indies 2-0 at home. India currently sits fifth in the WTC standings, one place above Sri Lanka in sixth.

Full squad

India’s squad for Tests against Sri Lanka: Shubman Gill [C], KL Rahul [VC], Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant [WK], Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel [WK], Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain

Note:

Sai Sudharsan and Jasprit Bumrah’s availability will be subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI COE.

Washington Sundar was not available for selection for the first Test.

Published on Jul 28, 2026