IND vs SL Tests: Team India's stars and strivers gear up for Sri Lanka's exam

The starsShubman GillThe Indian skipper has become the defacto face of the Test team having stamped his authority with a pristine series in England last year where he plundered 754 runs in five Tests including a double hundred to go with three tons at an average of 6556 He backed that up with a 129 not out and a 50 vs West Indies late last year besides scoring 126 recently vs Afghanistan in Junepopcorn number8276 descShubman Gillrsquos batting average in his last nine Tests classDefaultRavindra JadejaThe veteran of 89 Tests is inarguably the best allrounder in world cricket currently and has been one of the most consistent performers for India with both bat and ball mdash he averages 6366 with the bat in his last 10 Tests while his bowling average since January 2024 in Asia is 2251 In a team going through transition his prowess in both disciplines makes him a crucial cog in the Gillled Test sidepopcorn number2251 descRavindra Jadejarsquos bowling average in Asia since January 2024 classDefaultRishabh PantWhile the attackminded wicketkeeper has faltered in whiteball cricket of late the same cannot be said of his redball form Since his return in September 2024 from a nearfatal car crash Pant has averaged 4286 with the bat While critics may bemoan his lack of application at times his ability to take on bowling attacks can damage the oppositionrsquos morale while also taking the pressure off his own teammatespopcorn number4286 descRishabh Pantrsquos batting average since his return in September 2024 from a nearfatal car crash classDefaultThe striversWashington SundarThe offspin bowling allrounder seemed a readymade replacement for Ravichandran Ashwin but despite some impressive knocks with the bat his bowling has left much to be desired 16 wickets in his last 10 Tests at an average of 3837 as he lacks the consistency and guile of his predecessor With a likeforlike replacement in Saransh Jain also part of the squad in Sri Lanka Sundar needs to step up soon to hold on to his Test spotpopcorn number3837 descWashington Sundarrsquos bowling average in his last 10 Tests classDefaultPrasidh KrishnaThe tall rightarm quick has taken 11 wickets in his last two Tests to bring his average down to a more respectable 3196 but itrsquos his lack of control thatrsquos an issue leaking plenty of runs and releasing pressure off the opposition In the absence of injured pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah this is Krishnarsquos best chance to stake a claim for the third seamerrsquos slot with the likes of Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi breathing down his neckpopcorn number459 descPrasidh Krishnarsquos Test career economy rate the third worst among bowlers who have bowled at least 1000 balls classDefaultDevdutt PadikkalIt is harsh to term the southpaw a struggler since he has only played two Tests However having come into the series as the secondchoice for the No 3 slot behind Sai Sudharsan Padikkal has done well scoring 142 not out in the practice match before the series He will continue to be under pressure to make this spot his own though and prove that he can carry his domestic form 543 runs in his last 6 Ranji Trophy matches at 6033 in the international arenapopcorn number30 descDevdutt Padikkalrsquos batting average in his three Test innings so far classDefault