IND vs Sri Lanka Test Series: Awaiting fitness report before team selection, suspense on Bumrah-Washington Sundar

Mumbai: Before selecting the Indian Test team for the Sri Lanka tour, the national selection committee is waiting for the fitness report of the players from the Center of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. After receiving the report, a meeting of the selection committee is likely to be held within the next 10 to 36 hours, in which the final decision on team selection will be taken.

The meeting will mainly discuss the fitness and availability of Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj.

Washington Sundar’s fitness is closely monitored

Off-spin all-rounder Washington Sundar is recovering from a hamstring injury. Considering the spin-friendly pitches of Sri Lanka, he is being considered an important player for the team.

However, at the moment it is not clear whether he will be fully fit and available from the beginning of the series or not. There is also a possibility that if fitness is not achieved on time, he may be included conditionally for the second test, but the possibility of this is considered to be low.

Curiosity remains on Bumrah’s return as well

Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is also expected to reach the Center of Excellence. There is some uncertainty regarding his selection, but his chances of joining the team are said to be high.

He suffered an injury to his left knee during the ODI series against England, due to which he could not play the third ODI. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had clarified that the injury was not serious and he was rested due to swelling in the knee.

Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy’s comeback difficult

Harshit Rana, who is suffering from a hamstring injury, is considered to have very little chance of being selected for the Sri Lanka tour.

There are also indications regarding Nitish Kumar Reddy that at present the team management is preparing him only for limited overs cricket. His comeback could be in the white-ball matches to be held in September, while his next opportunity in Test cricket could possibly come during the New Zealand tour in November.

Hardik and Varun are not in the running for selection

Hardik Pandya and Varun Chakravarthy are also currently present at the Center of Excellence, but both are not in the race for selection for the Sri Lanka Test tour, as both are currently being considered for white ball cricket only.

Possibility of Jadeja’s return

Most of the players included in the one-off Test played against Afghanistan last month are expected to remain in the team.

Apart from this, Ravindra Jadeja is also expected to return to the Indian Test team for the Sri Lanka tour. He could not play in the last Test match played in Chandigarh.

Selection committee meeting can be held online

Earlier the selection committee meeting was proposed on Tuesday, but now according to reports it is likely to be held online on Monday. The official announcement of the Indian Test team can be made after the meeting.

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