Auqib Nabi, a fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir, has been named as a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah in India‘s Test squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Bumrah has been ruled out of the two-match series due to a knee injury.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed Nabi’s maiden call-up to the senior national team. Nabi’s inclusion comes after an impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy seasons, where he claimed 104 wickets over the last two campaigns, including 60 wickets in the 2025-26 season. His contributions were significant in Jammu and Kashmir’s victory in the Ranji Trophy.
Nabi also featured in the India A squad that recently toured Sri Lanka, taking six wickets in two first-class matches.
Bumrah’s Injury and India’s Squad Challenges
Bumrah, 31, has been managing a knee injury since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. He recently returned to international cricket, making his One Day International (ODI) comeback against England after an absence of nearly two years. However, he only participated in two matches before experiencing discomfort in his knee, leading to his withdrawal from the final game of the series.
Initially part of the touring group for the Test series against Sri Lanka, Bumrah will now focus on his recovery. India’s statement confirmed that he has not fully recovered from the left knee injury sustained during the ODI series against England.
Bumrah’s absence adds to India’s injury concerns. Harshit Rana (hamstring), Nitish Kumar Reddy (quad), and Washington Sundar (hamstring) are also out of the tour. Additionally, Sai Sudharsan is working to recover from a toe injury to prove his fitness for the opening Test.
Series Details and World Test Championship Implications
The two-match series is part of the World Test Championship and is scheduled to begin on August 15 in Galle. The second Test will be played from August 23-27 in Colombo. A four-day practice match is also scheduled to start on August 7 in Colombo before the series officially begins.
The series holds considerable importance for both teams in the race to qualify for the ICC World Test Championship Final, which will be held at The Oval next year. India currently occupies fifth place in the standings with a points percentage of 48.15, while Sri Lanka is close behind in sixth place with a points percentage of 41.67.
India’s recent performances include a 2-2 away series draw against England and a two-match series sweep against the West Indies at home. However, a 2-0 series defeat to South Africa, the reigning World Test Championship holders, caused them to drop in the standings. Sri Lanka has played two series in the current cycle, securing a 1-0 home victory against Bangladesh before suffering a 1-0 away defeat to the West Indies.
The India squad for the Test series includes Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan (subject to fitness), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, and Auqib Nabi. The first Test is scheduled to commence on August 15 in Galle.
Source: icc-cricket.com
