India recall Ravindra Jadeja for Sri Lanka Tests, Saransh Jain earns maiden call-up

India recall Ravindra Jadeja for Sri Lanka Tests, Saransh Jain earns maiden call-up (Photo by Ben Whitley/PA Images via Getty Images)

India have named a 15-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, with all-rounder Saransh Jain receiving his maiden call-up to the senior side. The series marks the return of experienced campaigners Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, who were unavailable for India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan.

Jain has been rewarded for his impressive performances in domestic cricket and during the recent India A tour of Sri Lanka. The 25-year-old all-rounder has built a strong first-class record, scoring 2,223 runs and taking 188 wickets in 54 matches. His inclusion comes after Washington Sundar was ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury sustained during the ODI series against England.

Jadeja also returns after recovering from a tennis elbow injury that kept him out of recent international action. His presence, alongside Bumrah, adds significant experience and quality to an Indian side eager to make a strong start to the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Bumrah’s return will bolster the pace attack, while Jadeja’s all-round skills will be crucial on turning tracks.

The first Test of the series will begin on August 15 at the Galle International Stadium, while the second Test is scheduled to be played at the SSC in Colombo from August 23. Before the series gets underway, India will play a four-day practice match in Colombo starting on August 7, providing the players valuable preparation ahead of the opening Test.

The Sri Lanka tour is India’s first assignment in the new WTC cycle following a disappointing 2-0 home series defeat to South Africa in November. Prior to that setback, India had drawn a hard-fought five-Test series 2-2 in England and registered a 2-0 home victory over the West Indies. India currently occupy fifth place in the WTC standings, while Sri Lanka sit just behind them in sixth.

India squad for Sri Lanka Tests:

Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain

*subject to fitness clearance

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