The fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir, Auqib Nabi, has got his first call-up for India after being selected to replace Jasprit Bumrah in the forthcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. Bumrah’s left knee injury from the ODI series against England prevented him from playing.
After two stellar Ranji Trophy seasons, the 29-year-old Nabi has forced his way into the senior squad. He has taken 104 wickets, including 60 in the 2025–26 season, when he was instrumental in Jammu and Kashmir winning their first Ranji Trophy. Nabi was included in the India A team for the most recent tour of Sri Lanka as a result of his performances.
In the two four-day matches against Sri Lanka A, the right-arm seamer claimed six wickets, including 4 for 58 in the opening game’s first innings.
Bumrah, on the other hand, is still out due to an injury he sustained during last month’s second ODI against England. After passing a fitness evaluation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, the top fast bowler was added to India’s squad for the Sri Lanka series, although he hasn’t fully healed. After carefully managing his workload after suffering a back injury during the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Bumrah’s return to Test cricket has been further delayed by this most recent setback.
Before being rested for the one-time Test against Afghanistan in June, he played in just three of the five Test matches played in England last year. Shubman Gill is captain of India’s team for the Sri Lanka series, while KL Rahul is vice-captain. Subject to fitness clearance, Sai Sudharsan is still a member of the team.
Updated India squad: 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.
*Subject to fitness
Also Read – Knee Injury Rules Bumrah Out From SL Test Series