Washington Sundar's Sri Lanka Test availability in serious doubt after hamstring injury

Washington Sundar's participation in the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka is in serious doubt after the all-rounder sustained a right hamstring injury during the second ODI against England at Sophie Gardens in Cardiff. A BCCI source has indicated that his chances of making the tour are very slim, leaving the team management to plan without him.

As per The Times of India, the selectors are unlikely to name a direct replacement for Washington even if he is officially ruled out. The board has indicated that a thorough assessment will be conducted next week before any final decision is communicated to the team management and the selection committee.

"Washington was picked only for the second Test knowing it will be touch-and-go for him to gain full fitness. He hasn't played much after sustaining the injury in England last month. His workload is being carefully increased. At this moment, the chances of Washington going to Sri Lanka are very slim. The team management has been told to plan accordingly. The BCCI medical team is wary of pushing him into a Test match. There have been a few instances where players have broken down immediately after recovering from an injury," a BCCI source told The Times of India

"Washington will be the 16th member if links up with the team. It needs to be assessed if it will be worthwhile to send him for a Test match without any game time. A thorough assessment will be done next week which will include how the team is placed in Sri Lanka," the source added.

Will selectors name a replacement for Washington Sundar?

Washington's potential absence adds to a growing list of injury concerns for India. Jasprit Bumrah suffered a knee injury in England last month and has no set timeline for his return. Sai Sudharsan is also unavailable due to injury, while Akash Deep has been sidelined since January with a stress fracture in the back.

"The CoE was working on increasing Bumrah's workload before the Test series in Sri Lanka. It was felt that he would not be ready in time. It has been a long time since he has bowled in longer formats for a while. The CoE is very careful about him. They haven't given any timeline on him. Anyway, Indian cricket may have to now start getting ready for life without Bumrah especially in the longer formats after next year," the source said.

"For Akash Deep, the CoE's target was to get him cricket fit by the Sri Lanka tour. That hasn't happened. Now, they haven't communicated any timeline to the team management and the selection committee. It's not easy to come back from a back injury. The team management hopes that he will be available for the tour of New Zealand which will be very crucial. It will be a boost for the team if both Bumrah and Akash are available for the two Tests in New Zealand," the source concluded.

What is at stake for India in the Sri Lanka Test series?

The two-Test series against Sri Lanka begins on August 15 at Galle, with the second Test scheduled at the SSC ground in Colombo from August 23. India enter the series with significant World Test Championship implications riding on the results.

India currently sit fifth in the nine-team WTC 2025-27 standings. According to available data, they need to win at least seven of their remaining nine Tests to stay in contention for a place in the WTC final. The absence of key players such as Washington, Bumrah and Akash Deep makes that task considerably more demanding, though the board has not publicly commented on the tactical impact of these absences.