Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja have returned to India’s Test squad for next month’s two-match series in Sri Lanka after missing the Afghanistan series in June.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named a 15-man squad on Tuesday, keeping Shubman Gill as captain and KL Rahul as his deputy for the World Test Championship fixtures.
Bumrah’s return gives India their leading fast bowler after a spell on the sidelines, though he will need medical clearance before the opening Test. Left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan also faces a fitness test before he can take his place in the side.
Washington Sundar was unavailable for selection for the first Test in Galle because of injury.
Gill heads a batting line-up that includes Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant and Devdutt Padikkal. Pant and Dhruv Jurel are the wicketkeeping options.
Jadeja strengthens the spin attack, joining Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar. If Bumrah is cleared to play, he is expected to lead the pace unit alongside Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. Gurnoor Brar and Saransh Jain complete the squad.
India will arrive in Sri Lanka chasing early points in the 2025-27 World Test Championship. Sri Lanka also have plenty at stake after mixed results in their opening matches of the cycle, making the series an early test for both sides.
The first match will be played at the Galle International Stadium from August 15 to 19. The teams will then travel to Colombo for the second Test at the SSC Ground from August 23 to 27.
India have enjoyed success in Sri Lanka over the past decade, though tours to the island have rarely been straightforward. Galle has often rewarded patient batting and disciplined spin bowling, placing extra attention on the visitors’ slow bowlers. Jadeja’s return gives India another experienced option on turning pitches, while Kuldeep’s wrist spin offers a different threat.
The selectors have stayed with a blend of established names and younger players as India continue to build their squad under Gill’s leadership. Fitness will remain the main talking point before the opening Test, with Bumrah and Sudharsan waiting for the final clearance from the BCCI medical staff.
India squad: Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal and Saransh Jain.
