Team India have finally remembered Sarfaraz Khan. The Mumbai batter has officially joined the Indian squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka after being named as the replacement for injured Sai Sudharsan.
The first Test of the series will begin on August 15 in Galle, while the second and final Test will be played in Colombo from August 23.
India have already faced several injury concerns ahead of the series. Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana were among the players unavailable for selection, while Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan were initially picked subject to fitness.
Bumrah was later ruled out, with Auqib Nabi added to the squad as his replacement. Now, Sai Sudharsan has also been ruled out, opening the door for Sarfaraz Khan to return to the Indian Test squad.
Sarfaraz Khan Replaces Sai Sudharsan in India Squad
Speculation over Sarfaraz’s return had increased as soon as it became clear that Sai Sudharsan was unlikely to recover in time for the series.
CricInformer had also reported that Sarfaraz Khan was expected to be the player called up to the Indian squad. Now, the BCCI has officially confirmed his inclusion.
🚨Sai Sudarshan Replacement 🚨
Sarfaraz Khan is likely to replace Sai Sudarshan in Team India’s test Squad vs Sri Lanka🏏 pic.twitter.com/I4P60uSGN1
— CricInformer (@CricInformer) August 8, 2026
According to the BCCI, Sudharsan has made significant progress in his recovery from a right toe stress reaction, but he will not be available for the two Tests. Sarfaraz will link up with the Indian squad in Colombo before the team travels to Galle.
🚨 NEWS 🚨
Sai Sudharsan ruled out of the #SLvIND Test series; Sarfaraz Khan named replacement.
Details 🔽 #TeamIndia https://t.co/lF6h8jabZd pic.twitter.com/Dk0C4HI37p
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 9, 2026
For Sarfaraz, this call-up is certainly deserved. In fact, you can argue that he was one of the most deserving candidates to be on the flight to Sri Lanka in the first place.
The selectors had initially preferred Sai Sudharsan over him. However, if we look at Sarfaraz’s numbers, especially in first-class cricket, his case for a place in India’s Test setup remains very strong.
Sarfaraz Khan’s Numbers Speak for Themselves
Sarfaraz has played six Test matches for India, scoring 371 runs at an average of 37.10. His highest Test score is 150, and he has one century and three half-centuries to his name.
His first-class record is even more impressive.
The right-handed batter has scored 5,114 runs in 62 first-class matches at an outstanding average of 64.73. He has registered 17 centuries and 16 half-centuries, with a highest score of 301 not out.
These numbers show why Sarfaraz has consistently remained in the discussion whenever India look for a middle-order option in Test cricket.
He may have had to wait longer than expected, but his hard work has finally been rewarded with another opportunity in the Indian Test squad.
India’s Updated Squad for Sri Lanka Test Series
With Sarfaraz Khan replacing Sai Sudharsan and Auqib Nabi coming in for Jasprit Bumrah, India now have an updated 15-member squad for the two-Test series.
Batters: Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan
Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel
All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain
Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi
The addition of Sarfaraz gives India another strong middle-order option, particularly in conditions where playing spin well could be important.
Whether he immediately gets a place in the playing XI remains to be seen, especially with Devdutt Padikkal also pushing his case. However, considering Sarfaraz’s outstanding first-class record, his return to the Indian Test squad is a deserved one.
With Sarfaraz Khan replacing Sai Sudharsan, India have an experienced domestic performer back in their Test setup ahead of what should be an important two-match series in Sri Lanka.
