Sai Sudharsan ruled out of Test series against Sri Lanka with toe injury

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.

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.