India faces internal selection showdown over No.6 spot and bowling line-up before Galle Test

As the first Test of the series against Sri Lanka approaches at the Galle International Stadium, India’s selection committee is grappling with two pivotal choices. Ajit Agarkar’s recent arrival in Colombo underscores the urgency of finalising the playing XI, crucial for keeping India’s World Test Championship hopes alive. With Devdutt Padikkal’s 142 in the warm-up cementing his place at No.3, the battle for the No.6 slot centers on whether to back Sarfaraz Khan, whose first-class record against spin is strong, or Dhruv Jurel, who brings prior Test experience but recent low scores against spin bowlers.

Former cricketers Kiran More favors Jurel for his fielding and experience, while Mohammad Kaif argues Khan’s spin credentials merit selection. On the bowling front, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna are likely to open the pace attack, but the team must decide between adding a third seamer such as Gurnoor Brar or bolstering the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, a decision influenced by Irfan Pathan’s view that Sri Lankan conditions can also aid seamers.