Knews Desk – Team India batsman Sarfaraz Khan has returned to the Test team after nearly 18 months. A major change has been made to the Indian team ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka. Sarfaraz Khan has been included in the squad in place of the injured Sai Sudarshan. However, despite his return to the team, securing a place in the playing XI will be difficult. Other batsmen in the team have strengthened their claims.

The Test series between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin on August 15th. The first match will be played in Galle. Earlier, Sai Sudarshan was confirmed to be out of the series due to injury. Sudarshan is suffering from a stress fracture in his right leg and is under the supervision of the medical team at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The BCCI stated that Sudarshan is recovering from his injury, but will not be available for the Test series against Sri Lanka. Consequently, the selection committee has included Sarfaraz Khan in his place. Sarfaraz Khan had been out of the Indian team for a long time. He played his last Test match against New Zealand in November 2024. Subsequently, he was part of the Indian team on the tour of Australia in January 2025, but he didn’t get a chance to play a single match. His continued absence from the team raised questions about his selection. Now, Sai Sudarshan’s injury has opened the door for Sarfaraz to return to the team.

Sarfaraz is considered a useful option given the conditions in Sri Lanka. His record and technique against spin bowling make him unique. He has the ability to score runs even under pressure. Spin bowlers play a crucial role on Sri Lankan pitches, so Sarfaraz’s performance could prove beneficial for Team India. However, after returning to the team, his biggest challenge now is securing a place in the playing eleven. Sarfaraz is considered unlikely to receive a direct call-up for the first Test in Galle, starting August 15th. The primary reason for this is the number 3 position. Sai Sudharsan was batting at this position, while Sarfaraz has not yet batted at this position in Test cricket. Furthermore, Devdutt Padikkal strengthened his claim at number three with a brilliant century in India’s practice match. Therefore, the team management may give him a chance.

Sarfaraz will also face competition from Dhruv Jurel in the middle order. Jurel is currently expected to receive priority. This is why, despite returning to Team India after nearly 18 months, Sarfaraz may have to wait for his turn. However, if he gets a chance, his performance in Sri Lankan conditions could open doors for him. Shubman Gill is leading the Indian team for the Sri Lanka series, with KL Rahul as vice-captain. The squad includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnur Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Aaqib Nabi, and Sarfaraz Khan. Sarfaraz’s return represents a significant opportunity for him, but he will have to compete with strong contenders to secure a place in the starting eleven.