3 Indian players under pressure in the Sri Lanka Test series

India are set to take on Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series away from home, with the first game set to commence on August 15 in Galle. 

India are seemingly a side in transition, still dealing with the exits, absences and ageing of established stars. Over the last year or so, players have come in and performed in various roles, leaving a few key players' places in threat. With the scrutiny and severity over spots being extremely high, we take a look at players who will need a big series for themselves and their spots in the team.

Here are 3 players who are under pressure to perform in SL Tests:

3. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja is considered one of the perennial presences of India's red-ball juggernaut and is often considered one of the best all-rounders in the world. He has, for years, bamboozled teams with his left-arm spin and come up with fighting knocks to rescue India with the bat. India will be hoping to get the best out of Jadeja for the next cycle, considering the future series against Australia at home early next year.

However, with Jadeja being 37 years old, age is not on his side. With the presence of multiple all-rounders in the side, such as the currently injured Washington Sundar, and the emergence of Manav Suthar as a potential left-arm spin option for the future, fate could play against Jadeja keeping his spot in the side. He will need a big series to maintain his place in the squad.

2. Auqib Nabi

Auqib Nabi's inclusion into the Indian side for the series, in Jasprit Bumrah's absence, came as a major vindication for the pacer from Jammu and Kashmir. Nabi has picked up a whopping 104 wickets in the last two seasons of the Ranji Trophy, and his 60 wickets in the 2025-26 season led his state to their maiden title, with Nabi also picking up the Player of the Tournament award.

With clamours for his inclusion into the Test side running high for the last few years, the pressure will be on Nabi to step up with a key performance if given the chance. He will need to be at the top of his game, in a format where he has shown impeccable skill with the ball. 

1. Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant finds himself out of the pecking order in both white-ball formats after being earmarked as one of India's next all-format superstars. Pant returns to India whites, a format where he has to date tasted most success, but with others in his position also performing, failure could impact his place in the side.

Coming off a dismal IPL season, the Haridwar-born made up for it with a well-made 81 against Afghanistan, but a solitary score would not be enough to maintain his spot, with Dhruv Jurel having shone as a keeper-batter in Pant's absence. He will be in severe need of runs under his belt in a format where he averages 43.37 and has dominated spinners and pacers alike.