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BCCI plan county experience for Auqib Nabi: The India National Cricket Team and the think tank have started preparations for the upcoming two-match Test series in New Zealand after they failed to seal a 2-0 Test series win in Sri Lanka. Now, they must aim to win at least five of their remaining seven games to make it to the WTC Final 2027.
They are scheduled to play two Tests in New Zealand and then five Test matches against Australia in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle. Now, they have to try to win six matches so as not to depend on the other outcomes to qualify for the WTC Final 2027.
Gurnoor Brar gets Duleep Trophy call ahead of crucial New Zealand Tests
Right after the Sri Lanka tour, the Indian cricket team management has reportedly started making important plans for the upcoming New Zealand tour, which is crucial for their WTC final chances. Amid this, Mohammad Kaif questions Shubman Gill’s leadership as Sri Lanka pull off fighting draw.
As reported by the PTI journalist Kushan Sarkar, Gurnoor Brar has been asked to report for North Zone’s Duleep Trophy semi-final. The main aim behind the decision to give the young pacer another chance to prove himself in red-ball cricket before the New Zealand tour.
BCCI makes big move for Auqib Nabi ahead of Australia A series
Meanwhile, the BCCI is working on a special plan for Auqib Nabi. The board is reportedly in talks with English county teams Surrey and Hampshire to arrange a couple of matches for Nabi in September.
The plan is to give Auqib Nabi experience in English conditions before he joins India A for the upcoming Australia A series, which is expected to finish in Puducherry next month.
The BCCI is also trying to arrange a UK visa for Auqib Nabi so that he can travel to England and gain valuable exposure before the Australia assignment.
This reported move shows that the Indian team management is closely monitoring its young fast-bowling options like Auqib Nabi and Gurnoor Brar to prepare them for the future.
Some #ICT news
— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) August 28, 2026
Team India Think Tank on NZ tour prep:
Gurnoor Brar has been asked to report for North Zone #DuleepTrophy semis.
For Auqib Nabi, the @BCCI in talks with couple of franchises like Surrey and Hampshire for a couple of games in September before Australia A series end…
India’s WTC hopes take major blow as Sri Lanka pull off fighting draw
Well, India’s hopes of improving their position in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings suffered a setback after Sri Lanka fought back brilliantly to draw the second Test at the SSC Ground. Amid this, Former India opener takes dig at Gautam Gambhir over India’s WTC 2027 final hopes.
India had won the first Test in Galle by 165 runs and looked set to complete a 2-0 series sweep. However, Sonal Dinusha’s unbeaten 133 helped Sri Lanka save the match and settle for a 1-0 series defeat. Starting the final day with only a 16-run lead, Sri Lanka’s lower order showed great patience.
Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha added 100 runs from 31.2 overs before Nuwantha fell for 46 to Manav Suthar. Ravindra Jadeja then dismissed Prabath Jayasuriya, but Dinusha continued his resistance. He completed his second century of the Test and third of the series, while Lahiru Kumara faced 90 balls before being dismissed by Jadeja.
Asitha Fernando then survived the final overs, forcing the draw. The result saw India’s WTC points percentage fall from 53.33 to 51.52. They remain fifth after 11 matches, behind Australia (80%), South Africa (75%), New Zealand (72.22%), and Bangladesh (55.56%). Sri Lanka is sixth with 33.33%.
