Sai Sudharsan’s injury has opened the door for Sarfaraz Khan to return to India’s Test squad after almost two years away.
India have called up Sarfaraz as Sudharsan’s replacement for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka. Sudharsan continues to recover from a foot injury at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Sarfaraz last played Test cricket against New Zealand in November 2024. He made his debut earlier that year during the England series and has since collected 371 runs in six Tests at an average of 37.10, with one century and three fifties.
He remained in India’s squad for the subsequent tour of Australia but did not play a match. The selectors then left him out of the squad for the England tour.
The 28-year-old responded in the best way possible, piling up runs in domestic cricket.
Sarfaraz scored 429 runs at an average of 53.62 for Mumbai in seven matches during the 2025 Ranji Trophy. His wider first-class record remains even more impressive, with 5,114 runs at 64.73 from 62 matches.
That form has now earned him another chance with India.
Sarfaraz faces competition for a place in the middle order, but his recall gives him an opportunity to revive a Test career that stalled after his promising start.
India have already suffered several injury setbacks ahead of the Sri Lanka series. Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar will also miss the tour.
India will begin the two-Test series in Galle on 15 August. The second Test starts in Colombo on 23 August.
