Ravindra Jadeja is back in India’s Test squad, and uncapped all-rounder Saransh Jain has earned his maiden call-up for the two-match series in Sri Lanka. The BCCI announced the 15-member squad on Tuesday, with Shubman Gill continuing as captain and KL Rahul as his deputy.
Jadeja returns after recovering from a tennis elbow injury that kept him out since IPL 2026. Jain’s inclusion follows Washington Sundar’s hamstring setback. Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan also made the squad, subject to fitness clearance.
India’s Full Squad for the Sri Lanka Tests
Here is the complete 15-member India squad named by the selection committee for the Sri Lanka Test series:
| Player | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | Batter | Captain |
| KL Rahul | Batter | Vice-captain |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Opening batter | Confirmed |
| Rishabh Pant | Wicketkeeper-batter | Confirmed |
| Sai Sudharsan | Batter | Subject to fitness |
| Dhruv Jurel | Wicketkeeper-batter | Confirmed |
| Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder, left-arm spin | Confirmed |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Left-arm wrist spin | Confirmed |
| Manav Suthar | Left-arm spin all-rounder | Confirmed |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Fast bowler | Subject to fitness |
| Mohammed Siraj | Fast bowler | Confirmed |
| Prasidh Krishna | Fast bowler | Confirmed |
| Gurnoor Brar | Fast bowler | Confirmed |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Batter | Confirmed |
| Saransh Jain | Off-spin all-rounder | Maiden call-up |
Notice how spin dominates this list. Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain give India four slow-bowling options for Sri Lankan pitches that traditionally turn from day one.
Why Ravindra Jadeja’s Return Matters
Jadeja suffered his tennis elbow injury during the 2026 Indian Premier League in May and subsequently missed India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan.
His comeback restores balance to the side. Jadeja brings left-arm spin, lower-order batting depth, and elite fielding, three things India missed without him.
He will likely partner Kuldeep Yadav as India’s senior spin pairing, with Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain as fresh back-up options.
Who Is Saransh Jain? India’s New Face in Whites
Saransh Jain, 33, is a Madhya Pradesh all-rounder from Indore. He bats left-handed and bowls right-arm off-spin, a combination that adds genuine batting depth at number eight.
His call-up did not come out of nowhere. Jain claimed six wickets and struck an unbeaten 70 for India A against Sri Lanka A in Galle, exactly the conditions he will now face at international level.
Saransh Jain’s Domestic Numbers
| First Class Records | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Matches | 54 |
| Runs | 2,223 (avg. 31.75, two centuries) |
| Wickets | 188 (avg. 27.30, ten five-wicket hauls) |
| Batting style | Left-handed |
| Bowling style | Right-arm off-spin |
Those figures, verified against Yardbarker’s report syndicated from Mr Cricket UAE, show a genuine dual-threat cricketer rather than a specialist bowler filling a spare seat.
Washington Sundar’s Injury Opened the Door
Washington Sundar picked up a hamstring injury during the ODI series against England and was ruled unavailable for the first Test against Sri Lanka.
That setback is exactly what handed Saransh Jain his opportunity. Selectors turned to him instead of reshuffling the seam attack, a sign they wanted a genuine spin-bowling all-rounder in reserve.
Bumrah and Sudharsan: Fitness Still a Question Mark
Jasprit Bumrah injured his knee ahead of the series-deciding third ODI at Lord’s. He was named in the squad, yet his final inclusion depends on clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
Similarly, Sai Sudharsan needs medical approval before playing. He has been in strong touch against Sri Lanka A, so his fitness will matter to India’s middle order.
Tour Schedule: Practice Match and Two Tests
Before the series begins, India will play a four-day practice match in Colombo to sharpen preparations. Here is the full itinerary:
| Fixture | Venue | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Practice match (4-day) | Colombo | August 7 |
| 1st Test | Galle International Stadium | August 15 |
| 2nd Test | Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo | August 23 |
The first Test at Galle typically favours spin from the outset, while the SSC in Colombo tends to offer more even conditions for pace and spin alike.
Where This Series Fits in the WTC 2025-27 Picture
India currently sit fifth in the World Test Championship 2025-27 standings, with Sri Lanka just below them in sixth.
This series arrives after India drew a hard-fought five-Test series 2-2 in England and beat the West Indies 2-0 at home. Two wins in Sri Lanka would meaningfully boost their WTC points tally.
The Bottom Line
Ravindra Jadeja’s return and Saransh Jain’s maiden call-up give India a spin-heavy, well-balanced squad for a series that matters for the WTC 2025-27 standings.
With Bumrah and Sudharsan’s fitness still pending, expect updates closer to the first Test on August 15 as India finalise their playing eleven.
