Sai Sudharsan ruled out of Test series against Sri Lanka with toe injury
The 24-year-old was set to bat at No. 3 for India but is now in rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, with a replacement yet to be named.
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Star Indian batter Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of India's two-match Test series against Sri Lanka after failing to recover from a toe injury, removing a certain starter from the top order ahead of the first Test in Galle on August 15.
The 24-year-old Tamil Nadu batter had been selected in the 15-member squad announced on July 28, though his place was conditional on passing a fitness assessment. He did not board the flight with the rest of the squad when India departed for Sri Lanka on August 4 and is currently completing his rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, according to reports citing a BCCI source.
The selectors are expected to confirm a replacement for Sudharsan within the next few days.
How did Sudharsan sustain the injury?
The toe problem first emerged during the second unofficial Test between India A and Sri Lanka A in Galle, played in June-July 2026, when Sudharsan was forced to retire hurt. Despite that setback, the selectors retained him in the senior squad, with his availability contingent on a pre-series fitness clearance.
Sudharsan to join India squad in Sri Lanka by weekend
That clearance was not granted, ending his involvement in the series entirely. Sudharsan had arrived at the selection table in strong form: he made 81 in the first innings of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June 2026, scored centuries in the first innings of each India A fixture against Sri Lanka A in Galle during June-July 2026, and finished the 2026 IPL with more than 700 runs for Gujarat Titans.
He had been confirmed as India's No. 3 for both Tests before the injury ruled him out.
Who is likely to fill the No. 3 spot for India?
Devdutt Padikkal is expected to move up to No. 3 in Sudharsan's absence. Padikkal made a strong case for himself during the tour match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo, scoring 103 off 121 balls on Day 2 of that fixture.
India are also monitoring a separate fitness concern at the top of the order. Captain Shubman Gill hurt his right ring finger during a practice session ahead of the first Test, and KL Rahul took over the captaincy for the warm-up game while Gill sat out. Gill's availability for August 15 remains unconfirmed.
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