The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors have named Sarfaraz Khan as the replacement for Sai Sudharsan for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Sai Sudharsan was ruled out after suffering a right toe stress reaction, giving Sarfaraz a chance to return to India's Test squad.
Sarfaraz Khan last played for India during the home series against New Zealand in November 2024. He later travelled with the squad for the Australia tour but did not feature in a match. He was also left out of the England tour. The right-handed batter gets another opportunity to revive his international Test career.
Sarfaraz Khan was not the only option before the selectors
Sarfaraz Khan was not the only batter considered to replace Sai Sudharsan. Shaik Rasheed and Ruturaj Gaikwad were also in contention for the Sri Lanka series. However, Sarfaraz was picked considering his experience, strong record against spin, and recent fitness improvements.
The Mumbai batter has been one of India's most prolific performers in first-class cricket. He has scored 5,114 runs in 92 innings at an average of 64.73, including 17 centuries and 16 half-centuries. He also scored 429 runs for Mumbai in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season at an average of 53.62.
Sarfaraz has also worked hard on his fitness in recent months and has lost considerable weight. He can handle spin that could be useful in Sri Lankan conditions, which may have strengthened his case over the other contenders.
Why Sarfaraz Khan is not a direct replacement for Sai Sudharsan & his recent red-ball record
Sarfaraz Khan has been called up after Sai Sudharsan's injury, but the two batters do not occupy the same role in India's Test setup. Sudharsan is primarily a top-order batter who can open or bat at No. 3, while Sarfaraz is more suited to the middle order.
Devdutt Padikkal is the more likely candidate to replace Sudharsan in the playing XI. Sarfaraz's recall gives India an experienced middle-order option and additional cover for the Test series.
Sarfaraz has played only six Tests since making his debut in 2024. He has scored 371 runs at an average of 37.10, with one century and three half-centuries. His best performance came against New Zealand in Bengaluru, where he scored an unbeaten 150.
He last played a Test match against New Zealand in November 2024. The batter was then part of India's squad for the Australia tour but did not play a match. He was subsequently left out of the squad for the England series.
Will Sarfaraz Khan actually play against Sri Lanka?
Sarfaraz Khan is unlikely to feature in India's playing XI for the first Test against Sri Lanka. With Sai Sudharsan unavailable, Devdutt Padikkal is the leading candidate for the No. 3 spot after scoring a century in India's warm-up game against Sri Lanka Cricket XI.
India also have a settled middle order with captain Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja. That leaves limited room for Sarfaraz unless the team management decides to make a change.
The first Test is scheduled to begin in Galle on August 15, and Sarfaraz is expected to provide middle-order cover rather than walk straight into the XI. His recall, however, gives him another chance to stay close to the Test setup after nearly two years away from international cricket.
