Indian ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill is currently grappling with a severe fitness crisis within the squad, a concern he openly voiced during the tour of England. He had pointed out that players failing to complete a three-match series is far from ideal for the team's stability and planning.
With a rising wave of injuries among key team members, Gill faces a daunting challenge in building a settled unit for next year's ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship final. Ahead of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, four prominent cricketers have been ruled out or remain sidelined despite being selected.
Jasprit Bumrah and Ongoing Fitness Concerns
The foremost name on this list is pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. After making a comeback for the national side in England following the IPL, he failed to feature through the entire series. Although he was subsequently named in the Test squad for the Sri Lanka tour, reports emerged at the last moment confirming his lack of full fitness, keeping him out of action and adding immense pressure on the captain.
Harshit Rana's Unfortunate Setbacks
Fast bowler Harshit Rana has faced a similarly frustrating run. Injury forced him to miss the IPL 2026 season entirely. Upon recovering, he was picked for the England tour, only to sustain another injury breakdown. While expectations were high for his inclusion in the Sri Lanka Test series, he remains unavailable.
Nitish Kumar Reddy Disrupts Team Plans
The recurring injuries of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, viewed as a natural successor to Hardik Pandya, have consistently disrupted team management strategies. Reddy was selected for the squad heading to England, but news of his injury broke just before departure, and he has now been ruled out of the Sri Lanka Test assignments as well.
Washington Sundar's Recurring Sidelining
Spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar rounds out this list, struggling constantly with fitness setbacks. Despite being a vital component of the team setup, injuries have made his tenure erratic. Having picked up an injury during the recent England tour that kept him out of action, he remains sidelined for the opening match against Sri Lanka despite retaining his place in the squad.
