Sri Lanka tour: Sidharth out of Test series, Padikkal likely to get a chance at number 3

India has suffered another blow ahead of their upcoming Test tour of Sri Lanka. B Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the two-Test series due to a thumb injury on his right foot that has not fully healed. Sudharsan had scored two centuries in two 'A' Test matches, but suffered the injury during the second match against Sri Lanka 'A'. He was undergoing a rehabilitation process at the BCCI's Center of Excellence in Bangalore. He was a strong contender for the number 3 spot in India's playing eleven for the two-Test series starting August 15.

The left-handed batsman from Tamil Nadu was initially included in the Indian squad for the Sri Lanka tour, but his participation was subject to fitness clearance. He did not travel to Sri Lanka with the team. A BCCI source said that Sudharsan needs more time to attain full fitness and requires further rehabilitation for a safe return, and hence has been ruled out of the Sri Lanka Test tour.

Sudharsan last represented India in the one-off Test against Afghanistan. He has played seven Tests so far, scoring 383 runs, including three half-centuries. Sudharsan's absence could pave the way for Karnataka left-handed batsman Devdutt Padikkal to take the number 3 spot. Padikkal has strengthened his claim with a brilliant century in the warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI.

The 26-year-old Padikkal scored a century in India's first innings in the warm-up match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo. He completed his century by hitting a four off Ramesh Mendis in the fourth ball of the 40th over. Padikkal made his Test debut against England in Dharamsala in March 2024. He has played only two Tests so far, scoring 90 runs in three innings. He has an impressive record in first-class cricket, scoring 3,800 runs in 93 innings of 56 matches, including nine centuries and 21 half-centuries.

Meanwhile, Indian captain Shubman Gill did not play in the warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI on Saturday due to a finger injury on his right hand. In his absence, KL Rahul is leading the team. Team India is already grappling with fitness issues of several players. Jasprit Bumrah is out of the Test series, while all-rounder Washington Sundar's participation in the second Test is also doubtful. Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy are also out due to hamstring and quadriceps injuries, respectively. Jammu and Kashmir pacer Aaqib Nabi has been included in the Indian squad in place of Bumrah.