India’s recent white-ball tour of England included informal squad discussions, according to The Times of India. Selectors are now awaiting word on all-rounder Washington Sundar‘s fitness, whose injury has become a major issue.
This week, India’s senior men’s selection committee under Ajit Agarkar will announce its squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. The Indian team will likely fly for Sri Lanka on August 4 to prepare for the series, which begins on August 15 in Galle.
Washington Sundar missed the Lord’s third and final ODI against England due to a right hamstring injury.
While the BCCI confirmed the injury as a hamstring issue, the report states that the all-rounder will now be assessed at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) before receiving clearance.
By the time Washington Sundar reached London, the pain had subsided, but he was advised to get scans, which specialists reviewed. Despite a Grade 1 strain or slight pull, the 26-year-old will need at least two weeks to recover.
As India prepares for Sri Lanka, the selectors will closely monitor his recovery before making a decision.
Bumrah and Jadeja should return.
The roster may change from the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Seniors Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja should return for the Sri Lanka series.
If Washington Sundar doesn’t recover in time, the selectors could keep Harsh Dubey or add Saransh Jain to balance the spin attack. Manav Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav should stay, while Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar, and Prasidh Krishna could play pace.
After the IPL, Jadeja skipped the Afghanistan Test, but top selector Ajit Agarkar called him the “no. 1 spinner in the format”.
Washington Sundar availability and Nitish Kumar Reddy’s CoE rehabilitation are both important decisions. The selectors must decide whether to back the seam-bowling all-rounder if he recovers or a specialist.
India will prepare for a key series with a four-day warm-up match in Galle before the first Test. Next, Shubman Gill’s team will visit New Zealand before hosting Australia in a five-match Test series. Indian aspirations of reaching the World Test Championship final depend on a great performance in Sri Lanka.
