Sarfaraz Khan replaces injured Sai Sudarshan in India squad ahead of Sri Lanka matches

The Indian team is on a tour of Sri Lanka, where it is scheduled to play two Test matches against the host team. Before the start of the Test series, the Indian team is conducting a three-day practice match against the Sri Lankan XI at the NCC Ground in Colombo.

In this practice match, the Sri Lankan XI won the toss and decided to bat first. However, more than the match itself attracted attention was the new appearance of Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj.

When Mohammed Siraj took the field for the practice match, his new hairstyle immediately drew attention. Siraj gave his hair a new look, featuring subtle highlights. This look in the Test kit is a drastic departure from his previous hairstyles. Nevertheless, a change in hairstyle is not new for Siraj, as he has previously changed his appearance. His new style once again became noticeable during his visit to Sri Lanka.

Mohammed Siraj is known for his aggressive play and ability to celebrate emotionally on the field. However, for Siraj, the visit to Sri Lanka will be special not only because of his appearance; his responsibility on the field will be significantly higher. Since Jasprit Bumrah is excluded from the Test series, Siraj acts as the most experienced face in the Indian fast bowling attack. Therefore, it is expected that he will not only cope with the new ball but also regularly score points.

Mohammed Siraj has previously bowled many important spells for India in foreign conditions. There is a possibility that spinners will be more useful on Sri Lankan pitches, but the new ball and reverse swing could become important tools for fast bowlers. It should be noted that Siraj is a DSP (Deputy Superintendent of Police) in the Telangana police. He was appointed to this position in October 2024.

The practice match against Sri Lanka XI is also significant for determining the Indian squad. The team faces the question of selecting a second fast bowler alongside Mohammed Siraj. In Bumrah's absence, there are options such as Gunnor Bharath, Prasidh Krishna, and Akib Nabi. Thus, the coaching staff is closely monitoring the players' performances in the warm-up match.

Before the practice match, the Indian team faced concerns regarding the physical condition of captain Shubman Gill. On Thursday during training, Gill sustained an injury to the little finger of his right hand. As a precaution, he was not fielded on the first day of the practice match, and Kell Rahul took charge of the team.