India’s Test team to tour Sri Lanka likely this week; the selectors sweated over Washington Sundar

Indian Washington Sundar. (Photo by AP/PTI) NEW DELHI: The senior men’s selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, is likely to select the squad for the upcoming two-Test tour of Sri Lanka, starting on August 15 in Galle. Informal discussions took place on the sidelines of the white-ball tour of England and a formal meeting will soon be held for the crucial series. It is learned that the selectors are awaiting clarification on Washington Sundar, who was injured during the three-ODI series. The all-rounder was forced to miss the series decider at Lord’s and is likely to report to the BCCI Center of Excellence (CoE) to get the necessary clearance. The official word from the Indian cricket board mentioned a right hamstring injury. TimesofIndia.com learned that while the pain subsided when he reached London, he was asked to undergo a scan, which was later shared with experts to get an opinion. It is further understood that even if it is only a strain or Grade 1 injury, it could take at least two weeks for the 26-year-old to regain full match fitness. With the Indian team likely to leave for Sri Lanka as early as August 4 to begin preparations, it remains to be seen how the selectors will deal with the situation in Washington. The Shubman Gill-led team will also feature in a four-day warm-up program ahead of the Galle Test.The squad from the one-off Test against Afghanistan last month is set to change as the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are expected to return. It remains to be seen whether Harsh Dubey will keep his place if Washington fails to regain his fitness or the selectors will opt for an off-spinner like Saransh Jain to maintain diversity in the spin-attack. Manav Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav are likely to retain their positions while Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar and Prasidh Krishna are expected to pace the attack. Jadeja was not picked for the match against Afghanistan after the IPL, but Agarkar claimed the experienced all-rounder remains “No. 1 in the format”. In terms of batting, the usual names will continue and the two all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Sundar are likely to be decided. Will the selectors opt for the seam-bowling all-rounder, who is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the CoE, or will they look for a specialist? These few calls will be interesting in what promises to be an otherwise expected team.

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Share an opinionIndia struggled in Tests under head coach Gautam Gambhir as they were whitewashed by New Zealand and South Africa at home. They need a strong series in Sri Lanka to maintain their chances of final World Cup qualification. After the Sri Lanka tour, India will face New Zealand in New Zealand before hosting Australia for five home Tests.