India Bolsters Squad with New Net Bowlers Ahead of Sri Lanka Test Series

As India gears up for the Test series against Sri Lanka, they have bolstered their squad by including four new net bowlers. This strategic move aims to enhance their preparation against spin in Sri Lanka's challenging conditions. With key players like Jasprit Bumrah ruled out due to injury, the team is looking to adapt and perform well in the upcoming matches. The series, part of the ICC World Test Championship, promises to be an exciting contest as India seeks to improve its standing. Read on for more details about the squad and the upcoming matches.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 5, 2026, 11:49 IST

India Prepares for Test Series Against Sri Lanka

New Delhi, August 5: Ahead of the first Test match against Sri Lanka set to begin on August 15 in Galle, India has added four net bowlers to their training squad: Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Tanush Kotian, and Vipraj Nigam.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that these bowlers will help the Indian team enhance their skills against spin, particularly in the spin-friendly conditions of Sri Lanka.

According to the BCCI, "Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Tanush Kotian, and Vipraj Nigam have joined the Indian squad as net bowlers to assist the team in the build-up to the first Test against Sri Lanka."

Harsh Dubey, a slow left-arm orthodox spinner, made his debut for India during the ODI series against Afghanistan, where he took four wickets in two matches. His impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), where he claimed eight wickets in eight matches at an average of 28.50, earned him a spot on the national team.

Shivang Kumar, a 24-year-old left-arm wrist spinner, also played for SRH in the IPL, taking nine wickets in 13 matches at an average of 41.66. He has recently excelled in the MP T20 League, scoring 194 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 176.36, including a half-century, while also taking seven wickets.

Tanush Kotian, 27, is a right-arm off-break bowler with a strong domestic record, having taken 131 wickets in 44 first-class matches at an average of 27.48. He has also scored 2,168 runs in 65 innings, including two centuries and 17 fifties, averaging 42.50.

Vipraj Nigam, a right-arm leg-break bowler, has been part of the Delhi Capitals (DC) squad in the IPL for the last two seasons, achieving 13 wickets in 19 matches. He has also shown his batting skills down the order.

During the recent tri-nation series against Sri Lanka in the 50-over format, Vipraj impressed with seven wickets in five innings and scored 116 runs in four matches, including a half-century.

The two-match Test series will kick off at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from August 15 to 19, followed by the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23 to 27.

Unfortunately, India's star bowler Jasprit Bumrah will miss the series due to a left knee injury sustained during the ODI series against England. Aquib Nabi has been named as his replacement.

India is facing several injury challenges, with Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy out due to hamstring and quadriceps injuries, respectively. Washington Sundar is also unavailable for the first Test due to a hamstring issue, while Akash Deep is still recovering from stress reactions in his back.

This series is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Currently, India sits fifth in the standings, having achieved four wins and four losses in nine matches, with a Points Percentage (PCT) of 48.150.

The Indian squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka includes: Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, and Aquib Nabi.

*Subject to fitness clearance.