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The Indian National Cricket Team is likely to miss multiple first-choice cricketers for their upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka in mid-August. Ahead of the two-match Test series, multiple cricketers' fitness is under the scanner.
Recently, the Indian cricket team’s playing combination across the formats has been forced to shuffle because of multiple injury setbacks. As multiple cricketers are still recovering and in the process of regaining match fitness, the Indian team management may have to set the squad without multiple first-team players for the Sri Lanka series.
Multiple star cricketers are unlikely to play for India against Sri Lanka
Players like Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Sai Sudharsan, and Nitish Kumar Reddy are among the cricketers whose fitness is under concern. None of these five cricketers are declared fit to play by the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) medical unit.
Abhishek Tripathi, a Dainik Jagran reporter, provided detailed fitness updates of Sundar, Bumrah, Rana, Sudharsan, and Reddy. Needless to say, none of these five cricketers’ present fitness updates are satisfying, as all of them are under recovery sessions.
Which players are likely to miss the Test series against Sri Lanka entirely?
According to Tripathi’s ‘X’ post, Washington Sundar is set to miss the 1st Test against Sri Lanka, and his participation in the second Test will be subject to his fitness. Jasprit Bumrah is also uncertain for the series. The pace spearhead is currently sidelined and will have to report to the Centre of Excellence (COE) after July 30, ahead of the India vs Sri Lanka Test series.
Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, two pace-bowling all-rounders, are set to miss the series entirely, while the top-order batter Sai Sudharsan’s chances to face Sri Lanka are brighter among these five injured cricketers. Sudharsan is recovering well, as it is reported.
“Washington Sundar: Unavailable for the 1st Test; availability for the 2nd Test subject to fitness. Jasprit Bumrah: Subject to fitness. Will rest until 30th July, after which he will report to the Centre of Excellence (COE). Sai Sudharsan: Subject to fitness; recovering well. Harshit Rana: Unavailable. Nitish Kumar Reddy: Unavailable,” Abhishek Sharma’s ‘X’ post reads.
India Test Squad – Availability & Fitness Update
— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) July 26, 2026
* Washington Sundar: Unavailable for the 1st Test; availability for the 2nd Test subject to fitness.
* Jasprit Bumrah: Subject to fitness. Will rest until 30th July, after which he will report to the Centre of Excellence (COE).
*…
Injuries sustained by Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Sai Sudharsan, and Nitish Kumar Reddy:
Washington Sundar: Right hamstring injury, received during the second ODI against England in Cardiff.
Jasprit Bumrah: Reactive swelling on left knee, sustained while fielding during the second ODI in Cardiff.
Harshit Rana: Grade one biceps femoris muscle strain (hamstring injury), picked during the third T20I against England at Trent Bridge.
Sai Sudharshan: Left elbow injury during a Gujarat Titans versus Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2026 match.
Nitish Kumar Reddy: Left quadriceps injury during the first ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamsala.
The Indian cricket team is eyeing a strong comeback in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) by winning the upcoming Test matches. Currently, the team sits fifth in the nine-team competition, far from the top two spots in the rankings. The team is scheduled to face Sri Lanka from August 15 to August 27.
