Shivang Kumar, Tanush Kotian And Vipraj Nigam Join India As Net Bowlers

Shivang Kumar, Tanush Kotian and Vipraj Nigam have joined the Indian team as net bowlers ahead of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins on August 15. The trio will assist the Shubman Gill-led side during its preparations in Sri Lanka.

India have already arrived in the island nation and will play a three-day practice match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo from August 7 before the Test series gets underway.

The series will begin at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from August 15 to 19 before concluding at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23 to 27.

India have suffered several injury setbacks ahead of the series.

Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will miss the series after failing to recover fully from the left knee injury he suffered during the ODI series against England. Auqib Nabi has been named as his replacement. Harshit Rana is unavailable due to a hamstring injury, while Nitish Kumar Reddy is recovering from a quadriceps injury.

All-rounder Washington Sundar will miss the opening Test because of a hamstring problem, and fast bowler Akash Deep remains sidelined as he continues to recover from stress reactions in his back.

The two-match series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.

India are currently fifth in the standings with four wins and four defeats from nine matches, holding a points percentage (PCT) of 48.150.

India Squad

Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi.

Sai Sudharsan is subject to fitness clearance.

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