India's Sai Sudharsan ruled out of two-Test series in Sri Lanka

Sai Sudharsan was ruled out on Saturday from India's two-Test series in Sri Lanka after failing to recover from a big toe injury sustained during the India A tour of the island nation last month. The top-order batter has been undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru since the injury occurred.

Sudharsan had scored two hundreds in two 'A' Test matches on that tour before being struck during the second game against Sri Lanka 'A'. Following the blow to his toe in that match he entered a supervised rehabilitation programme at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

"Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. Doctors have advised more time for biological healing. Significant improvement, but not yet sufficient for a safe return to Test cricket," according to an update from the Sports Science team which is monitoring the player's rehabilitation. The Sports Science team has informed the management and national selection committee.

The medical cum fitness advice for Sudharsan reads: "Rehabilitation, strength & conditioning, and cricket-specific loads should be increased gradually and under close monitoring. The cautious approach is aimed at reducing the risk of recurrence or further complications and protecting long-term performance." The guidance calls for incremental increases in cricket-specific workloads under close supervision.

Selection changes are already being made for the Sri Lanka Tests. It will be interesting to see who replaces Sudharsan in the squad; while Sarfaraz Khan is mentioned as a possible option, the article notes an important member of the coaching staff as well as selection committee doesn't have a lot of faith in him.

Devdutt Padikkal, who scored a century in the practice game, will take the number three batting position in Sudharsan's absence for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka.