SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir fast-bowling all-rounder Auqib Nabi has earned his maiden call-up to the Indian Test squad, replacing pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka.
The 29-year-old right-arm seamer from Baramulla becomes the first cricketer from the Kashmir Valley and only the third from Jammu and Kashmir, after Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik, to earn a call-up to India’s senior squad. He is also the first player from the Union Territory to be named in India’s men’s Test squad.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Bumrah has been ruled out of the Sri Lanka tour after failing to fully recover from a left knee injury sustained during the recent ODI series against England.
“Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka as he has not yet fully recovered from the left knee injury sustained during the ODI series against England. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Auqib Nabi as Bumrah’s replacement,” the BCCI said.
Nabi’s call-up is the culmination of two outstanding seasons in the Ranji Trophy. He took 104 wickets across the last two campaigns, including 60 wickets in the 2025-26 season, the highest tally by any bowler in the tournament. His performances played a major role in Jammu and Kashmir winning their maiden Ranji Trophy title after a 67-year wait.
His 2024-25 campaign had already established him among the country’s leading domestic bowlers. Nabi claimed 44 wickets at an average of 13.93 and a strike rate of 30.47. In the following season, he went a step further, finishing with 60 wickets.
Nabi also produced a decisive performance in the Ranji Trophy final against Karnataka on February 28, taking five wickets and earning the Player of the Tournament award. Earlier, he had also produced a remarkable spell for North Zone in the Duleep Trophy, taking four wickets in four consecutive deliveries — a first in the tournament’s history.
His rise continued into the India A tour of Sri Lanka, where he played two four-day matches and took six wickets. The experience could prove valuable as India prepare for the Test series in conditions he has encountered only recently. Both matches were played in Galle, where India will begin the Test series on August 15.
Nabi had initially been left out of India’s squad despite topping the Ranji Trophy wicket charts. With the pace attack featuring Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar, the selectors had opted against adding another seamer. Bumrah’s injury, however, has opened the door for Nabi.
His selection also follows a significant IPL breakthrough. Delhi Capitals signed Nabi for Rs 8.40 crore at the 2026 mini-auction, reportedly making it the highest fee paid for a cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir in the league’s history.
Nabi’s Test debut, however, is not guaranteed. India are expected to assess conditions in Sri Lanka carefully, and Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna could be preferred if the team opts for a two-seamer combination. Gurnoor Brar is also part of the squad.
The Indian team is scheduled to play a three-day practice match in Colombo from August 7 to 9 before travelling to Galle for the opening Test, beginning August 15. The second Test is scheduled at the Sinhalese Sports Club from August 23 to 27.
For Nabi, the call-up marks a landmark moment for Jammu and Kashmir cricket. Whether he gets onto the field in Sri Lanka or has to wait longer for his Test debut, his selection places him on the threshold of becoming the first cricketer from the region to represent India in Test cricket.
