Jadeja boost for India as team weighs fitness ahead of Sri Lanka Tests

Ravindra Jadeja has been cleared and is available for selection. Big boost for India with both bat and ball ahead of the Sri Lanka Tests. Final fitness calls pending India are still weighing fitness of other players before finalizing the XI/squad for the Sri Lanka Test series. No other names confirmed yet, but team management will make late calls. India get their key all-rounder back in Jadeja, but selection isn't locked in. A few fitness concerns remain as they prep for Sri Lanka. The biggest question marks are around the fitness of Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana. Cricinfo understands that Rana is yet to recover from the hamstring injury he suffered in the middle of the T20I series in England. Rana had returned to action in July after missing the 2026 T20 World Cup and the IPL with a knee injury. His last Test was against Australia in Adelaide in December 2024. Washington Sundar - Fitness doubt Missed the 3rd ODI vs England with a hamstring injury. Replaced in that squad by Harsh Dubey. Selectors are waiting on a final fitness report on Monday. If fit, Washington could be added to the Test squad. If only fit for the 2nd Test, he’ll come in as the 16th member. With several left-handers in the Sri Lanka lineup, selectors may look at Saransh Jain. He impressed for India A vs Sri Lanka A in Galle: 6 wickets across the match + 70 in the first innings. Harsh Dubey already came in for Washington in ODIs. The selection panel will also get an update on Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out of the Lord's ODI against England due to an impact injury to his left knee in the second ODI in Cardiff as a precautionary measure. Bumrah, though, is likely to be fit for the Sri Lanka tour. He has shouldered a heavy workload in recent months, having played the T20 World Cup and IPL, and the team management will be mindful of his fitness with a packed Test calendar ahead. He was rested for the one-off Test and ODI series against Afghanistan in June as well as the T20Is against Ireland and England. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was ruled out of Ireland and England tours with a quadriceps injury, is unlikely to be fit for the series. Openers: KL Rahul to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal No. 4: Captain Shubman Gill Middle order: Sai Sudharsan likely to keep his spot after good India A form. Devdutt Padikkal also in contention. Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant - first choice. Dhruv Jurel - reserve. No major surprises expected in the Test squad. Top order looks settled with Rahul-Jaiswal and Gill at 4. Pace department will hinge on Bumrah’s fitness, with Brar putting his name forward after a dominant India A performance. Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel are expected to spearhead the spin attack, while left-arm spinner Manav Suthar is likely to retain his place after taking seven wickets on Test debut against Afghanistan in June. Harsh Dubey, who had a prolific domestic season, could also come into contention if Jadeja or Washington is unavailable. The first Test begins on August 15 in Galle and the second on August 23 at the SSC in Colombo.