Shikhar Dhawan, India’s white-ball skipper for the Sri Lanka tour, on Saturday (July 24) clarified that there has been no request from the BCCI to release any of the batsmen from the Sri Lanka-bound squad in Sri Lanka as replacements for injured players in England.

On Friday (July 23), it was reported that the BCCI is looking to send opener Prithvi Shaw and middle-order batsman Suryakumar Yadav to England after multiple injuries in the Test squad.

"We have not received any news as such and until we get any demand or news from BCCI, then only we will have to change our strategy. Up until now, we haven't got any information," said Dhawan to the media in a virtual interaction on being asked if departure of any of the players will lead to a change in strategy.

Last week, young opener Shubman Gill returned from UK after sustaining a shin injury and the duo of Avesh Khan and Washington Sundar recently suffered injuries while playing in the warm-up match for County Select XI.

According to a report published in The Indian Express, the team management wants Shaw, Suryakumar and off-spinner Jayant Yadav, who can also bat and the Indian board is making plans to fly the players to England.

Shaw and Suryakumar are currently in Sri Lanka with India’s white-ball team whereas Jayant is in India.

However, Dhawan's statement suggests that the young batsmen may travel to England only after the Sri Lanka tour gets over on July 29.

Shikhar Shawan also backed Suryakumar Yadav to succeed in red-ball cricket.

"Surya is batting very well in ODIs or T20Is. He has vast experience in domestic cricket. He is a very mature player. If he is given a chance, [in case] he is needed in the Test team [by the team management], and if the selectors think he is needed, [I feel] he is a very good technical batsman, a very smart thinker of the game. I am sure he will do very well in any format," he opined.

(With IANS inputs)