The India National Cricket Team has already announced the 15-man squad for the upcoming Test series against the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team, with the first Test scheduled for 15th August. Now the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee has announced Auqib Nabi as the replacement for Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out of the series on Sunday with an injury.
The Jammu and Kashmir pacer finally gets a maiden call-up for the Men in Blue side after his impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy 2025/26 season. He was key for the state side to win their maiden Ranji Trophy after they defeated Karnataka in the final. He has been waiting for his call, and now finally receives it.
Auqib Nabi finally earns his maiden call-up
Auqib Nabi replaces Jasprit Bumrah, who was previously named in the squad but only subject to fitness, after it was reported that the latter has not yet fully recovered from the left knee injury sustained during the ODI series against England; he will not be a part of the side. This was a big blow for the side that has already been struggling in the traditional format.
Nabi had two stellar domestic seasons, and the BCCI selectors were criticised for not picking him despite his performance in the domestic formats. He has the ability to consistently bowl on one length and swing the ball both ways as well. He also featured during the India A multi-day matches in Sri Lanka, where he bowled well and picked 6 wickets in two matches.
Auqib Nabi's Ranji Trophy form
Auqib Nabi has picked 104 wickets in the previous two editions of the Ranji Trophy. He picked 60 wickets in the 2025-26 campaign and finished as the leading wicket-taker in the very season and played a crucial role in helping Jammu and Kashmir win their maiden title.
He was excellent in the semi-final against Bengal, picking 9 wickets in the game with a five-wicket haul in the knockout stage, and also scored runs from the bat as he scored crucial 42 runs and helped the side to qualify for the final of the tournament. In the final, he also starred with a brilliant 5 for 54. His devastating spell dismantled Karnataka's star-studded lineup.
India's World Test Championship (WTC) cycle begins again from this Test series as they will look to regain some form in the traditional format of the game, as they are fifth on the WTC table and the two Test wins in Sri Lanka will keep their hopes alive.
India’s updated squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka: Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), 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.
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