Sarfaraz Khan has earned a recall to the Indian Test squad after nearly two years. The right-handed batter has been added to the team as a replacement for injured Sai Sudharsan ahead of India’s Test series against Sri Lanka.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed Sarfaraz’s inclusion on Sunday evening. He is expected to join the Indian team in Sri Lanka ahead of the first Test in Galle, which is scheduled to begin on August 15.
The call-up gives Sarfaraz another opportunity to establish himself in India’s Test setup after spending a considerable period away from the national team.
Sarfaraz Khan Returns to India Team After Two Years
Sarfaraz Khan last represented India in Test cricket in 2024, when he played against New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium. Since making his Test debut, he has featured in only six Test matches for India.
Despite limited opportunities at the international level, Sarfaraz has continued to remain in contention because of his strong domestic record and ability to score consistently in first-class cricket.
His return comes at a crucial time for India, with the team dealing with several injury concerns before the Sri Lanka series. With Sai Sudharsan ruled out for the opening Test, the selectors have turned to Sarfaraz to strengthen the batting group.
Sai Sudharsan Sidelined With Toe Injury
According to the BCCI, Sai Sudharsan has suffered a stress reaction in the big toe of his right foot. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru.
The board said that Sudharsan’s recovery is progressing well and that the medical team is closely monitoring his condition.
Sudharsan picked up the injury during India A’s tour involving Sri Lanka A last month. He had been in excellent form during the unofficial Test series, scoring two consecutive centuries and making a strong case for his place in the senior Indian team.
His injury is therefore a setback for a player who had been showing impressive consistency with the bat.
India Already Dealing With Several Injuries
India’s injury list has grown significantly even before the start of the Sri Lanka Test series.
Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the entire Test series because of a knee injury, leaving India without one of its leading fast bowlers. Washington Sundar is also expected to miss the first Test after suffering a hamstring injury.
The team is further missing fast bowler Harshit Rana, who is dealing with a hamstring problem, while all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is unavailable because of a quadriceps injury. Fast bowler Akash Deep is also sidelined with a back injury.
These absences have forced the Indian team management to make changes to its plans before the first Test.
Shubman Gill Also Suffered Finger Injury
There was also concern around Test captain Shubman Gill after he injured a finger on his right hand during a net session.
As a precaution, Gill did not take part during the first two days of India’s warm-up match. However, the injury did not prevent him from returning to action on the third day.
Gill opened the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal and scored 44 runs, providing some relief to the Indian camp ahead of the Test series.
With several key players unavailable, Sarfaraz Khan now has another chance to make an impact in the Indian Test setup. His experience, domestic batting record and previous international exposure could prove valuable as India prepares for the opening Test in Galle on August 15.
Also read: Aqib Nabi Replaces Jasprit Bumrah in India’s Test Squad for Sri Lanka Tour, Earns Maiden Call-Up
