3 weeks ago
BCCI names Sarfaraz Khan replacement for injured Sai Sudharsan
Sai Sudharsan is a cricket player for India who hurt his toe and cannot play in the big Test matches against Sri Lanka.
Test matches are long, serious cricket games that can last for several days.
The first match starts on August 15 in a city called Galle.
Sudharsan rested and practiced at a special sports centre in Bengaluru, but his foot was not fully better in time.
So the cricket board picked Sarfaraz Khan to take his place on the team.
Sarfaraz has played for India before and is a very good batter.
The team's captain, Shubman Gill, also got a small finger injury during practice.
Star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is hurt too and cannot play in the series.
So India has many injured players to manage before the matches begin.
The BCCI confirmed Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan as the replacement for Sai Sudharsan, who is ruled out of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka with a right toe stress reaction.
Sudharsan, injured during India A's tour of Sri Lanka in July, failed to regain full fitness in time for the first Test starting August 15 in Galle despite rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Shaik Rasheed and Ruturaj Gaikwad were also considered as alternatives before Sarfaraz was chosen.
Captain Shubman Gill (right ring finger) and Jasprit Bumrah (left knee) are also sidelined; Aquib Nabi replaced Bumrah, and India face further injury concerns with Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Akash Deep.
Devdutt Padikkal strengthened his case for a top-order spot with an unbeaten 142 off 164 balls in the warm-up game against Sri Lanka XI in Colombo.
- Who
- India batter Sai Sudharsan, ruled out with a right toe stress reaction; Sarfaraz Khan named his replacement, with Shaik Rasheed and Ruturaj Gaikwad also considered; captain Shubman Gill and pacer Jasprit Bumrah are injured too.
- What
- The BCCI confirmed Sai Sudharsan's exit from the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka and named Sarfaraz Khan as his replacement.
- Where
- The series is in Sri Lanka, with the first Test in Galle and the second in Colombo; Sudharsan was rehabilitating at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
- When
- Announced on Sunday, August 9, 2026; the first Test begins August 15, and the warm-up match began Friday, August 8.
- Why
- Sudharsan could not regain full fitness from his right toe stress reaction in time for the series opener.
Experienced recall
Youth movement
Replacement for Sudharsan
Experienced recall
Sarfaraz Khan, named by the BCCI, brings prior Test experience, proven skills against spin, and a strong domestic record (5,114 runs at 64.73 in First-Class cricket).
Youth movement
Shaik Rasheed and Ruturaj Gaikwad were also considered; Rasheed scored 45, 63 and 20 for India A in Sri Lanka last month and was asked to report to the Bengaluru facility.
Spot in the Playing XI
Experienced recall
As the confirmed replacement, Sarfaraz Khan should immediately get a place in India's Playing XI for the Sri Lanka Tests.
Youth movement
Devdutt Padikkal's unbeaten 142 in the warm-up fixture makes him the more compelling choice at No. 3, so Sarfaraz may not start right away.
Key facts
- Series
- India vs Sri Lanka, two-match Test series (ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle)
- Ruled out
- Sai Sudharsan (right toe stress reaction; one report described it as a big toe stress fracture)
- Replacement
- Sarfaraz Khan (Mumbai batter; 371 runs in 6 Tests, average 37.10, highest score 150)
- First Test
- August 15, Galle
- Second Test
- August 23-27, Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
- Captain
- Shubman Gill (right ring finger injury; KL Rahul led India on Day 1 of the warm-up)
- Other sidelined players
- Jasprit Bumrah (replaced by Aquib Nabi), Harshit Rana (hamstring), Nitish Kumar Reddy (quadriceps), Washington Sundar (hamstring), Akash Deep (back stress reactions)
- Warm-up standout
- Devdutt Padikkal's unbeaten 142 off 164 balls (18 boundaries) vs Sri Lanka XI
Quotes
BCCI Selection Committee
Committee that selects Indian national cricket team
“Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the Test series against Sri Lanka. The left-handed batter, who has been at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru, has made significant progress in his recovery from the right toe stress reaction and is recovering well. The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring his progress.”
indianexpress.com
news18.com
thehansindia.com
“The Men’s Selection Committee has named Sarfaraz Khan as a replacement for Sai Sudharsan for the two‑match Test series against Sri Lanka. He will link up with the Indian squad in Colombo before the team travels to Galle for the first Test match, starting August 15, 2026.”
indianexpress.com
news18.com
Sources
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Sai Sudharsan ruled out of India vs Sri Lanka Test series 2026; BCCI names Sarfaraz Khan as replacement
Out-of-favour India batter poised for recall, to replace injured Sai Sudharsan in Test squad: Report
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Sarfaraz Khan Likely To Replace Injured Sai Sudharsan In Sri Lanka Test Series: BCCI Sources
Sarfaraz replaces Injured Sai Sudharsan
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