According to Cricinfo, Team India’s senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is available for selection ahead of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka after recovering from a tennis elbow injury. The national selection committee is expected to finalize India’s squad on Monday, with Jadeja, who has been missing since IPL 2026, once again in contention.
India will begin the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on August 15 before the second Test at the SSC in Colombo on August 23. This series is important for both the teams, with India currently placed fifth and Sri Lanka sixth in the 2025-27 World Test Championship standings.
India eye crucial World Test Championship points in Sri Lanka
India will begin their tour of Sri Lanka looking to revive their World Test Championship campaign after a 2-0 home series defeat to South Africa in November. Before that shock, Shubman Gill’s side had drawn the five-Test series 2-2 in England and defeated West Indies 2-0 at home.
The two-match Test series is India’s first WTC assignment after the South Africa defeat. With only nine Tests remaining in the current cycle, each match assumes significance as India bid to make it to their third World Test Championship final.
The team will reach Sri Lanka early and play four-day practice matches at the NCC Ground in Colombo before the opening Test. In particular, the extra preparation is expected to help the players adjust to the spin-friendly conditions in Galle and Colombo.
Ravindra Jadeja available for Sri Lanka Test
Ravindra Jadeja’s return is a big boostBut the selectors are still waiting for the fitness of some key players before finalizing the team. Jasprit Bumrah is expected to be available despite being ruled out of the final ODI against England as a precautionary measure due to a knee injury.
Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana suffered hamstring injuries, while Nitish Kumar Reddy is unlikely to recover in time from a quadriceps injury. Washington may also be included in the squad later if he is declared fit for the second Test.
The selectors are also considering Saransh Jain after his impressive performance for India A in Sri Lanka. The off-spinning all-rounder took six wickets and scored an unbeaten 70 while left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey remains in contention in need of another spin option.
India likely to retain established test core
India are expected to stick to their settled batting lineup. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul are likely to continue as the opening pair, while Sai Sudarshan is expected to retain his place at No. 3 after impressing for India A.
Captain Shubman Gill is ready to bat at number four, while Rishabh Pant will remain the first choice as wicketkeeper. Dhruv Jurel is expected to play as the reserve wicketkeeper, while Devdutt Padikkal remains a contender as the additional batting option.
When fit, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace attack along with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. Gurnoor Brar has staked his claim after taking 10 wickets for India A against Sri Lanka A, while Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja are expected to form the core of India’s spin attack.
