India waits on Sai Sudharsan's fitness for Sri Lanka Tests
Sai Sudharsan remains in Bengaluru continuing rehabilitation while India awaits clearance for him to join the Sri Lanka Test squad.
India is monitoring Sai Sudharsan's recovery at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru while the rest of the squad has arrived in Colombo. Sudharsan has not travelled with the team and is expected to resume full-intensity batting later this week. The medical staff will assess whether he can join the squad in time for the three-day warm-up match beginning Friday.
The team management has prioritised full match readiness over an early arrival, given India's long-term plans for the left-hander in the Test side. Sudharsan will need to complete batting sessions without discomfort before being cleared to travel. The practice game would then serve as his final fitness test ahead of the two-Test series starting August 15.
The remainder of the squad reached Colombo on Tuesday. India are fifth in the World Test Championship standings with a points percentage of 48.15 after four wins and four losses in nine matches.
CricHubb Take
The decision to keep Sudharsan in Bengaluru rather than rush him to Colombo shows the management now treats fitness verification as a hard gate rather than a soft target.