India batter Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, after medical staff at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s Centre of Excellence advised that he needs more time to recover from an injury sustained on the India A tour of the island last month.
The left-hander was struck during the second unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A and has been rehabilitating at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru since. ESPNcricinfo reported the injury as a stress fracture in his foot.
The medical assessment
“Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. Doctors have advised more time for biological healing. Significant improvement, but not yet sufficient for a safe return to Test cricket,” the BCCI’s sports science team said in an update, according to Ada Derana.
The team’s fitness advice added that “rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, and cricket-specific loads should be increased gradually and under close monitoring,” describing the cautious approach as aimed at reducing the risk of recurrence and protecting long-term performance. The assessment has been passed to the team management and the national selection committee.
The decision is a notable loss for the tourists. Sudharsan scored centuries in both matches of the A tour before the injury, and had been the preferred option at number three.
Padikkal steps in
Devdutt Padikkal is set to take his place. He made an unbeaten 142 for India in the three-day warm-up against a Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club in Colombo, an innings played out as news of Sudharsan’s unavailability reached the squad on the second day.
It is the second significant absence India have absorbed on this tour. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the series in early August and replaced by Auqib Nabi. Both Bumrah and Sudharsan had originally been named in the touring party subject to fitness clearance.
The first Test begins at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on August 15, with the second at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23. The series forms part of the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle.
Sources: Ada Derana, ESPNcricinfo.
