Jadeja Returns, Saransh Jain Gets Shock Call-Up for Sri Lanka Tests

Ravindra Jadeja is back in India’s Test squad for the upcoming two-match series in Sri Lanka, while uncapped off spinning all-rounder Saransh Jain has earned a maiden call-up following an injury to Washington Sundar.

The 33-year-old Saransh has been selected on the back of a hamstring injury to Sundar, who has been officially ruled out of the first Test. Saransh’s consistent performances for Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket and India ‘A’ have placed him in line for a Test cap at an age when many careers begin to wind down.

🚨 News 🚨#TeamIndia‘s squad for the 2⃣-match Test Series against Sri Lanka announced

Note: Washington Sundar was not available for selection for the first Test.

More Details ▶️ https://t.co/Vk0Xd8Axmq #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/NuCcKBohMj

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 28, 2026

Jadeja, rested for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June, returns to a 15-man squad that otherwise wears a familiar look. Jasprit Bumrah is back to spearhead the attack, though both he and incumbent No.3 batter Sai Sudharsan have been picked subject to fitness clearance.

Who is Saransh Jain?

Saransh’s call-up comes on the back of a remarkable late surge in red-ball cricket. He has featured in 54 first-class fixtures, claiming 188 wickets at 27.3 apiece with his offspin. A useful left-handed batter down the order, he has also scored 2223 runs at an average of 31.75, with 14 half-centuries and two hundreds.

His recent form has been compelling. Saransh took 16 wickets and scored 136 runs across two games to help Central Zone clinch the Duleep Trophy title last September. He followed that with a standout Ranji Trophy season, amassing 518 runs at an average of 57.55 and 30 wickets at 20.43 apiece in the 2025-26 campaign.

Saransh was also part of the India ‘A’ XI in both unofficial Tests on the recent tour of Sri Lanka, returning seven wickets and contributing an unbeaten 70 in the second game batting at No.7.

Injury Concerns and Returns

The squad selection has been shaped significantly by fitness issues. Sundar has been ruled out of the first Test, though the BCCI statement did not specify his potential availability for the second. Bumrah suffered an impact injury to his left knee during India’s recent tour of England, which ruled him out of the deciding ODI at Lord’s. He was rested from the Afghanistan Test following an ordinary IPL campaign, where Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene revealed he played through the early part of the tournament with a niggle.

Sudharsan, who head coach Gautam Gambhir has backed for a long rope, is also awaiting fitness clearance from the Centre of Excellence. The specifics of his injury remain unclear, but the left-hander retired hurt on 7 in the second innings of the first unofficial Test against Sri Lanka ‘A’ last month and did not return to bat. He did play the second game, however, scoring 168 and an unbeaten 25, having already struck 132 in the first innings of the first game at Galle – the venue for the first Test of the upcoming series.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, one of several players currently rehabbing at the CoE, has not been named in the squad. Vidarbha all-rounder Harsh Dubey, who was part of the squad for the Afghanistan Test, is also among the notable absentees.

Spin Options and Squad Composition

Manav Suthar, who starred with seven wickets on Test debut against Afghanistan before securing a short County stint with Warwickshire, has been retained. Suthar could potentially be involved in a three-way shootout with Saransh and Kuldeep Yadav for two spots in the XI should India opt for a three-man spin attack.

Beyond Bumrah, the pace attack includes Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar. The latter took a ten-wicket haul in the second unofficial Test for India ‘A’ earlier this month in Galle.

The batting lineup retains a familiar look, with Devdutt Padikkal selected as the spare batter and Dhruv Jurel as the second wicket keeper behind Rishabh Pant. KL Rahul remains vice-captain under Shubman Gill, having replaced Pant in the role against Afghanistan.

Series Significance

The two-Test series, beginning August 15, marks India’s first tour of Sri Lanka in the format in nine years, having completed a 3-0 sweep in 2017. Galle will host the first Test, while Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club is the venue for the second game starting August 23. India will play a four-day warm-up fixture in Colombo beginning August 7.

                                               

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