Weekend flight on cards for Sai Sudharsan to Sri Lanka

Indian top-order batter Sai Sudharsan is set to fly out to Sri Lanka by Saturday, August 8, after staying back in Bengaluru for rehabilitation on a minor toe injury. Missing Departure & Warm-Up Match: Sudharsan did not travel with the rest of the Indian squad to Colombo on Tuesday. Consequently, he will miss India's three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI starting August 7. Recovery at CoE: The 24-year-old left-hander has been recovering from a big toe niggle at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. He has already resumed batting in the nets and is awaiting formal medical clearance to travel. Expected Availability for 1st Test: Sudharsan remains a core part of India's plans for the No. 3 position. Provided he receives final clearance from the medical staff, he is on track to be available for the series opener in Galle starting August 15. Alternative Options: Should his clearance be delayed, Devdutt Padikkal stands in line as a potential top-order replacement in the XI. First Training Session: The Indian squad completed their first practice session at the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) Ground in Colombo on Wednesday (August 5), following their arrival in Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Net Bowlers: Four net bowlers—Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Tanush Kotian, and Vipraj Nigam—have joined the squad to assist during training sessions. Revised Warm-Up Fixture: India will play a three-day warm-up match against a local Sri Lanka XI at the NCC Ground from August 7 to August 9 (shortened from an initial four-day schedule). Test Series Itinerary: 1st Test: Galle International Stadium, Galle (August 15–19) 2nd Test: Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Colombo (August 23–27)