India’s Test squad to tour Sri Lanka likely this week; menus sweat over Washington Sundar | Cricket news

Indian Washington Sundar. (Photo by AP/PTI)

NEW DELHI: The Senior Men’s Selection Committee, which he chairs Ajit Agarkarhe is likely to pick the squad for the upcoming two-Test tour of Sri Lanka, starting on August 15 in Galle. Informal talks were held on the sidelines of the white-ball tour of England, with a formal meeting soon to take place for the crucial series. It is learned that the selectors are waiting for the clearance of Washington Sundar, who was injured during the three-ODI series. The all-rounder was forced to miss the deciding series at Lord’s and is likely to report to the BCCI Center of Excellence (CoE) for the necessary clearance. The official voice of the Indian Cricket Board mentioned a right hamstring injury. TimesofIndia.com has learned that although the pain subsided when he reached London, he was asked to undergo a scan, which was later shared with experts for their opinion. It is further understood that even if it is only a pull or grade 1 injury, the 26-year-old could take at least two weeks to regain full match fitness. Since the Indian team is likely to start preparations in Sri Lanka on August 4, it remains to be seen how the selectors will handle the situation in Washington. The Shubman Gill-led team will also feature in a four-day warm-up before the Galle Test.The squad from the one-off Test against Afghanistan last month will change, as the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are expected to return. It remains to be seen whether Harsh Dubey retains his place if Washington fails to regain fitness or the selectors opt for an off-spinner like Saransh Jain to maintain diversity in the spin attack. Manav Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav are likely to retain their positions, while Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar and Prasidh Krishna are expected in the pace attack. Jadeja was not selected for the match against Afghanistan after the IPL, but Agarkar maintained that the experienced all-rounder remains the “No. 1 spinner in the format”. On the batting front, the usual names will continue and the decision is likely to be made on the two all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Sundar. Will the selectors opt for the great all-rounder who is currently rehabbing in VE or will they turn to a specialist? These few calls will be interesting in what promises to be an otherwise expected squad.

India have struggled in Tests under head coach Gautam Gambhir, after being beaten by New Zealand and South Africa at home. They need a strong series in Sri Lanka to keep their chances of the World Test Cup final alive. After the tour of Sri Lanka, India will play New Zealand, in New Zealand, before hosting Australia for five Tests at home.