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India’s preparations for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka have been dealt a setback as all-rounder Washington Sundar’s hamstring injury has delayed the announcement of the squad. For the BCCI, the World Test Championship (WTC) encounter against Sri Lanka’s is a crucial tie, and they are waiting for Sundar’s medical report before naming the squad for the upcoming Tests.

The all-rounder was forced to sit out the third ODI against England due to a hamstring injury and is set to report to the BCCI’s Center of Excellence (CoE) for additional tests. As per the Times of India report, Sundar sustained the injury during the third ODI against England and is likely to have a Grade 1 hamstring strain. The player’s recovery will determine his availability for the Test series against Sri Lanka.

India to Fine-Tune Preparations, As Uncertainty Looms on Washington Sundar injury

Despite the uncertainty over Sundar’s condition, India’s preparations for the Test series have commenced. The Shubman Gill-led team is set to arrive in Colombo on August 4 and will have a training session before the four-day practice match at Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) from August 7 to August 10.

“The Indian team will have its practice game from 7 to 10 August at NCC, Colombo. It will give every player a feel of the conditions ahead,” an official source revealed to IANS.

India will have their warm-up match before leaving for Galle for the first Test against Sri Lanka. The first rubber is scheduled to commence at Galle International Stadium on August 15 and conclude on August 19. The second and final Test is set to begin at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) on August 23 and finish on August 27. Both matches will start at 10:00 am local time.

The Test series holds immense significance, given the teams’ positions in the World Test Championship. Currently, India is placed fifth with a PCT of 48.15 in the WTC standings after nine matches, and Sri Lanka is right behind them in sixth with 44.44 PCT. Therefore, the series’ result will be crucial in determining which team clinches the top-two slots and advances to the WTC final.

India’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka is expected to be their first-ever Test series in 2024 after a decade. The last Test series between the rivals was in 2017 when Virat Kohli’s men registered a 3-0 series win over Sri Lanka. India has come into the series on a high after posting a dominant innings win against Afghanistan in their previous Test match. The hosts, on the other hand, are on a low after suffering a 2-0 home series defeat against West Indies.

As the team management awaits the fitness report on Sundar, the all-rounder’s condition may influence the team’s strategy for the Sri Lankan conditions.