Sai Sudharsan ruled out of first Sri Lanka v India Test with toe stress fracture
Sai Sudharsan was ruled out of India's opening Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium after sustaining a toe stress fracture; the match is currently underway, with India having won the toss and elected to bat in their 600th Test. The 24-year-old left-handed batter could not recover in time because he was unable to sprint at full pace.
The Galle fixture is the venue's 50th Test and the stadium now hosts the most Test matches among Asian venues. Devdutt Padikkal was included in India's XI and sent in to bat at three after showing strong form in the warm-up game against Sri Lanka XI. Sudharsan had been part of the initial 15-man squad alongside Jasprit Bumrah, and his recent form — including performances in the last Test against Afghanistan and scores of 132, 7, 168 and 25 on the India A tour of Sri Lanka — prompted questions over his absence.
Sudharsan suffered the toe stress fracture recently and, despite team management expecting him to be fit before the series began, he failed to regain full fitness in time. Medical staff reported he was unable to sprint at full pace, and he was seen at the BCCI Centre of Excellence shortly after the India A tour of Sri Lanka. Following assessment, he was deemed unfit for the series and withdrawn from selection.
Padikkal's elevation into the playing XI followed a bright warm-up display in which he scored a brilliant century against Sri Lanka XI; selectors noted his extensive run-scoring in domestic cricket as the basis for his inclusion. In the match at Galle he occupied the No. 3 position for India, replacing the spot Sudharsan might otherwise have contested.
The Test series carries World Test Championship implications for India: they must finish in the top two of the WTC points table to qualify for the WTC Final. India are currently fifth in the points table and therefore need to win the majority of their remaining matches to strengthen their chances of moving into the top two.
The first Sri Lanka v India Test is being played at the Galle International Stadium in Galle, Sri Lanka.
