Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler and sensation Auqib Nabi has earned his maiden call-up to the Indian team after being named as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. For the record, Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out after failing to recover fully from the left knee injury he sustained during the ODI series against England.
The 29-year-old Auqib Nabi has forced his way into the senior side on the back of two outstanding Ranji Trophy seasons, claiming 104 wickets, including 60 in the 2025-26 campaign when he played a key role in Jammu and Kashmir lifting their maiden Ranji Trophy title. Nabi’s performances also earned him a place in the India A squad for the recent tour of Sri Lanka. The right-arm seamer picked up six wickets in the two four-day matches against Sri Lanka A, including figures of 4 for 58 in the first innings of the opening game.
Auqib Nabi replaces injured Jasprit Bumrah
Auqib Nabi replaces Jasprit Bumrah, who continues to be sidelined after the injury he suffered during the second ODI against England last month. The premier fast bowler had been included in India’s squad for the Sri Lanka series subject to clearing a fitness assessment at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, but he has not recovered in time.
The latest setback further delays Bumrah’s return to Test cricket after his workload had already been carefully managed following the back injury he suffered during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Bumrah featured in only three of the five Tests in England last year before being rested for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June. India’s squad for the Sri Lanka series is led by Shubman Gill, with KL Rahul serving as vice-captain. Sai Sudharsan remains part of the squad, subject to fitness clearance.
India’s Updated Squad for the Sri Lanka series
Shubman Gill (c), KL Rahul (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi.
It remains to be seen whether Auqib Nabi gets a chance in either of the two Tests or does he warm the bench. Since India will most likely go in with 2 pacers in the playing XI, they have Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna as two experienced campaigners. Also, add to the fact that Gurnoor Brar made it to the squad before Auqib Nabi.
So, it seems Gurnoor Brar is ahead of the pecking order. So, given a choice, Brar may get the nod ahead of Auqib Nabi. Having said that, Auqib Nabi being there in the squad is a step in the right direction and he will be better off with the experience with the Indian team for sure.
Important Series for WTC ramifications
This is an important series for both teams as far as the WTC is concerned. It is a mid-table clash. It’s 5th vs 6th in the table. Both teams will give it their all to win the series and keep their hopes of WTC alive. For India, it is about conquering the demons of playing quality spin, as that has really affected them recently. The pitches will favour the spinners in general, and so India will have their task cut out for sure. For Sri Lanka, it will be about asserting dominance and playing the spinners better than India.
So, an interesting series is definitely on the cards, and it is a two-match series, meaning winning the first Test becomes all the more crucial. Galle is hosting the first Test match, and it is where Prabath Jayasuriya thrives as do all Sri Lankan spinners. Taking everything into consideration, the home team Sri Lanka will fancy their chances of upstaging the more fancied India.
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