3 players who can replace injured Sai Sudharsan in India's Test squad vs Sri Lanka

India have suffered a significant top-order blow ahead of their two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the first Test, which is scheduled to begin on August 15 in Galle, after sustaining a stress reaction in the metatarsal of his right big toe during the second innings of the second unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A in Galle.

According to popular media reports, Sudharsan needs more time to fully recover from the pain in his right big toe and his availability for the second Test remains a touch-and-go situation. The left-handed batter had been undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and was taking part in batting and fielding drills before being ruled out. This setback comes on top of Jasprit Bumrah's absence from the series due to a left knee injury, adding further pressure on the squad led by captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Here are 3 players who can replace Sai Sudharsan in India's Test squad vs Sri Lanka

3. Narayan Jagadeesan

Narayan Jagadeesan is a right-handed wicketkeeper-batter from Tamil Nadu who has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket. He has built a strong reputation in red-ball cricket through his performances in the Ranji Trophy, where he has demonstrated the ability to occupy the crease and build substantial innings at the top of the order. His domestic record reflects the kind of temperament and technique that is required at the Test level, particularly in subcontinental conditions where patience and footwork against spin are essential qualities.

Jagadeesan's experience of playing in Sri Lanka-like conditions in Tamil Nadu, where pitches tend to assist spin, makes him a credible candidate for the No. 3 role that Sudharsan had been filling. The BCCI selectors are aware of his consistent run-scoring in domestic cricket, and his inclusion would give India a technically sound option to stabilise the top order during the series.

2. Abhimanyu Easwaran

Abhimanyu Easwaran is a right-handed top-order batter from Bengal who has been on the fringes of the Indian Test setup for some time. He has been a regular performer in the Ranji Trophy and has previously been named in India squads as a reserve batter, which reflects the selectors' confidence in his red-ball credentials.

Easwaran's experience as a reserve in the Test setup means he is familiar with the environment and expectations at the highest level. He has consistently scored runs in domestic cricket and has the technique to handle the challenges posed by Sri Lankan conditions. His ability to play both pace and spin with composure makes him a reliable option for the selectors as they look to cover the gap left by Sudharsan's absence.

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad is a right-handed top-order batter from Maharashtra who has been part of India's white-ball setup and has also featured in red-ball cricket at the domestic level. He has been a prolific run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy and has shown the ability to convert starts into big scores, which is a quality that selectors value when considering Test replacements.

Gaikwad's familiarity with the demands of longer formats and his experience of playing in varying conditions make him a strong candidate to be considered for the vacancy. His record in first-class cricket suggests he has the technique to handle quality pace and spin bowling, and his inclusion in the Test squad for the Sri Lanka series would be a logical step given his overall standing in Indian cricket.