New Delhi. The Indian cricket team has suffered a major setback ahead of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the two-Test series due to injury. Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Aaqib Nabi has been included in the Indian senior Test team in his place. This is Nabi’s first selection to the senior Indian team.
The BCCI selection committee on Monday announced the inclusion of 29-year-old Aaqib Nabi in the squad as Bumrah’s replacement, making him the first cricketer from the Kashmir Valley to be selected in the Indian Test team.
Bumrah ruled out of Sri Lanka tour due to injury
Jasprit Bumrah was initially included in the Test squad against Sri Lanka on fitness grounds, but he has not fully recovered from a left knee injury sustained during the ODI series against England. Bumrah was not cleared in the final fitness assessment and was ruled out of the upcoming Test series.
Given Bumrah’s injury, the sports science team at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru has decided not to rush his return. Given Team India’s busy schedule ahead, the veteran fast bowler’s fitness has been prioritized.
Who is Auqib Nabi?
29-year-old Auqib Nabi, who hails from a village in Baramulla, has consistently performed well in domestic cricket. He is the third cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to be selected for the Indian senior team. Prior to him, Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik have been selected for the Indian senior team. Both have represented India in limited-overs cricket.
Nabi has taken a total of 104 wickets in the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, including 60 in the 2025-26 season. His performances played a crucial role in Jammu and Kashmir’s first Ranji Trophy title.
Showed his strength in Sri Lanka along with India A
Aaqib Nabi was also part of the India A team that recently toured Sri Lanka. He took six wickets in two first-class matches there. Following his performances in domestic cricket and for India A, he has now earned a direct call-up to the Indian Test team.
Nabi, along with bowling, also has the ability to bat usefully down the order, making him an additional option for the team management.
Sai Sudarshan’s fitness is also under scrutiny
Top-order batsman B Sai Sudharsan has also been included in the squad for the Sri Lanka tour on fitness grounds. He is currently recovering from a foot injury and his availability is subject to fitness clearance.
Test series will start from August 15
The first match of the two-Test series between India and Sri Lanka will be played in Galle on August 15. The second Test is scheduled in Colombo from August 23. Before the series, the Indian team will also play a four-day practice match in Colombo starting August 7.
India’s squad for the Sri Lanka Test series
Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Sai Sudarshan, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnur Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain and Aaqib Nabi.