Four slow bowlers join Indian squad preparing for upcoming tests

Indian team management has drafted Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Tanush Kotian, and Vipraj Nigam as net bowlers to counter slow conditions in Sri Lanka. Preparations are intensifying ahead of their first Test starting August 15 in Galle. Batters have historically struggled on these turning subcontinental pitches, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India to bring in this diverse quartet. Sri Lankan tracks heavily favor slow bowling, demanding flawless footwork and patience from visiting batting lineups.

Profiling Slow Bowling Specialists

Harsh Dubey brings his slow left-arm orthodox skills to the camp. He recently claimed four wickets in two ODI matches against Afghanistan. During his stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad, he took eight wickets in eight matches at an average of 28.50. Shivang Kumar, a 24-year-old left-arm wrist spinner, also played for SRH, taking nine wickets across 13 matches with a 41.66 average. Shivang recently dominated the MP T20 League, scoring 194 runs at a 176.36 strike rate and capturing seven wickets. Mumbai off-break bowler Tanush Kotian joins the squad with impressive domestic records. The 27-year-old boasts 131 wickets in 44 first-class matches, averaging 27.48 with eight four-wicket and three five-wicket hauls. He also scored 2,168 runs in 65 innings, including two centuries and 17 fifties. Right-arm leg-break bowler Vipraj Nigam adds further variety. He claimed 13 wickets in 19 matches for Delhi Capitals over two seasons. Vipraj also shined in a recent 50-over tri-nation series against Sri Lanka, securing seven wickets in five innings at a 5.38 economy rate while scoring 116 runs in four matches.

Injury Setbacks and Schedule

Pace leader Jasprit Bumrah remains unavailable due to a lingering left knee injury from the England ODI series, bringing Aquib Nabi into the squad as his replacement. Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Akash Deep are also sidelined with various injuries. Shubman Gill will lead this squad, currently ranked fifth in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle with four wins, four losses, and a 48.150 points percentage. Following the Galle opener, players will head to Colombo for the second Test starting August 23.