The Indian team for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka is likely to be announced soon, but the selectors are still in wait for the latest fitness reports from the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
A number of players are currently undergoing rehab including Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj.
Rana and Nitish may end up playing without, while Washington is likely to be the next big name heading to the oval.Rana and Nitish are unlikely to make the cut, as is Washington.
Washington Sundar is still the major fitness issue as he is an off-spinner with a wide range of abilities. The 26-year-old is still coming back from a hamstring injury and his availability for Sri Lanka series remains to be seen.
Washington is regarded as an important option as he has the ability to play both at Sri Lanka, where spin-friendly conditions prevail. There is a chance for him to return to the team later in the series if he is able to become healthy, but there has been no decision made.
Fast bowler Harshit Rana, on the other hand, will likely be in form and is not likely to be available as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar Reddy is also likely to be missing the assignment of the red ball. At present, the team management seems to see him in India’s white ball plans and may be able to play him in the limited-overs side in the near future but not in the Test team.
The Indian side also got good news in the case of Jasprit Bumrah. A blow to his left knee while fielding meant that the pace spearhead missed the final ODI against England, though his injury is not thought to be serious. Bumrah is likely to report to the Centre of Excellence for assessment and his selection is likely to be in the bag.
The majority of those who played in the recent India’s one off Test against Afghanistan will likely be part of the squad as well. That match saw experienced all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja missing out, and he is also likely to make his mark in the Sri Lanka tour.
The national selection committee is likely to hold its meeting soon to finalise the team for India in the World Test Championship series and the latest medical inputs will likely be a decisive factor in deciding the final team.