India have suffered a major setback ahead of their two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, with left-handed batter B Sai Sudharsan ruled out due to a toe injury. The 24-year-old was expected to take the crucial No. 3 position in the Indian batting order but has been unable to regain full fitness in time for the series.
Sudharsan was included in India’s 15-member Test squad on July 28, although his participation was subject to a fitness clearance. He did not travel with the rest of the squad to Sri Lanka on August 4 and was initially expected to join the team in Colombo on Saturday, August 8. However, his recovery has not progressed sufficiently, ruling him out of the series.
The setback comes at an unfortunate time for Sudharsan, who has enjoyed an impressive run of form in red-ball cricket. He scored more than 700 runs for Gujarat Titans during IPL 2026 and also made 81 in the first innings of India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan in June.
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His performances during the India A tour of Sri Lanka further strengthened his case for a Test debut. Sudharsan featured in two unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka A in Galle in June-July and scored centuries in the first innings of both matches.
With Sudharsan unavailable, Devdutt Padikkal has emerged as the leading candidate to bat at No. 3 in the opening Test in Galle on August 15. The Karnataka left-hander has also given the team management plenty of confidence after producing an impressive century in India’s ongoing three-day warm-up game against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo.
🚨 BIG BLOW FOR INDIA ❌
Sai Sudharsan ruled out of the Test series against Sri Lanka. [Abhishek Tripathi] pic.twitter.com/BM4U2Y7dgh
— Tasaduq Analyst (@tasaduq_cric_in) August 8, 2026
Padikkal came in at No. 3 on Day 2 and scored a fluent 103 off 121 balls, including 14 fours. He also shared a 96-run partnership with KL Rahul before adding another 72 runs with Ravindra Jadeja. The BCCI is expected to announce Sudharsan’s replacement in the coming days. Among the potential options are Sarfaraz Khan, Rajat Patidar and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
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Sarfaraz has already played six Tests for India since making his debut in 2024, while Patidar has featured in three Tests against England. Gaikwad, meanwhile, has an impressive first-class record, scoring 3,294 runs in 47 matches, although he is yet to make his Test debut.
Sudharsan’s absence leaves India with an important selection decision, but Padikkal’s latest performance could have given the team management a strong option ahead of the series opener.
