Harsh Dubey, Vipraj Nigam among four net bowlers join India for Sri Lanka Tests
NEW DELHI: Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Tanush Kotian and Vipraj Nigam have linked up with the Indian team as net bowlers ahead of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins on August 15. The four players 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 four-day practice match in Colombo from August 7 before the Test series starts.Before the Test series, India will play a three-day practice match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo starting on August 7.The opening Test will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from August 15 to 19. The second and final Test will be held at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23 to 27.India have been hit by a number of injury setbacks ahead of the series.Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out 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 sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Nitish Kumar Reddy is recovering from a quadriceps injury.All-rounder Washington Sundar will miss the first Test because of a hamstring problem. Fast bowler Akash Deep also remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from stress reactions in his back.The two-match series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.India are currently fifth in the World Test Championship standings with four wins and four defeats from nine matches. The team has a points percentage (PCT) of 48.150.India’s 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.
