Injury woes force India to field depleted side for Sri Lanka Test series

India will enter the two-Test series against Sri Lanka without a number of regulars due to a spate of injuries. Sai Sudharsan, who hit two centuries in the India A Tests, was ruled out after a big toe injury sustained on the A tour failed to heal. Fast bowler Jasprit Bummah missed out following a left knee niggle picked up in the second ODI against England, and Auqib Nabi has been drafted into the Test squad as his replacement.

Additional absences include Harshit Rana, sidelined by a Grade 1 hamstring strain after returning from knee ligament surgery, Nitish Kumar Reddy, recovering from a left quadriceps injury incurred against Afghanistan, and Washington Sundar, who is dealing with a hamstring problem. All-rounder Akash Deep also remains unavailable due to back stress reactions, and captain Shubman Gill has a right-finger injury but has not been ruled out. The series begins in Galle on August 15.