Jammu and Kashmir’s Auqib Nabi replaces Jasprit Bumrah in India’s Test squad for Sri Lanka tour
Auqib Nabi, a fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir, has received his maiden call-up to the India Test squad, replacing the injured Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed Nabi’s inclusion after Bumrah was ruled out due to a knee injury.
The two-match Test series, which is part of the World Test Championship, is scheduled to begin on August 15 in Galle. The second Test will be played from August 23-27 in Colombo. Nabi’s selection follows strong domestic performances, including taking 104 wickets over the last two Ranji Trophy seasons.
Bumrah’s Injury and Nabi’s Rise
Jasprit Bumrah has been managing a knee injury since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. He recently returned to international cricket, making his One Day International (ODI) comeback against England after an absence of nearly two years. However, he featured in only two matches before experiencing discomfort in his knee, leading to his withdrawal from the final game of the series. Bumrah was initially named in the squad for the Sri Lanka Test series but will now focus on his recovery.
Nabi’s consistent performance in domestic cricket has been a key factor in his selection. He claimed 60 wickets in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, playing a significant role in Jammu and Kashmir’s triumph in the tournament. Additionally, he was part of the India A squad that toured Sri Lanka recently, where he secured six wickets in two first-class matches.
The 29-year-old seamer’s journey to the national team has been marked by dedication. Early in his career, he faced challenges such as not owning bowling spikes for his first Under-19 trial. He borrowed a pair from a friend for the trial and continued to use borrowed shoes for his first Under-19 tournament. His parents, who are government school teachers, initially encouraged him to focus on academics rather than cricket.
Nabi’s cricketing development began with tennis-ball matches in Kashmir. The transition to leather-ball cricket presented new obstacles, including the need for proper turf wickets. He regularly travelled from Baramulla to Srinagar, a journey of one and a half hours, to access suitable practice facilities. This commitment reflects his philosophy that aspiring cricketers should not let inadequate facilities become excuses if they aim to play for India.
Development as a Bowler
When Auqib Nabi first joined the Jammu and Kashmir team for the Buchi Babu Trophy in Salem in 2023, he primarily bowled the outswinger. However, he expressed a desire to develop the ability to swing the ball both ways. P. Krishnakumar, Jammu and Kashmir’s bowling coach, began working with Nabi on his inswing. Krishnakumar noted Nabi’s strong wrist position as a significant asset.
Over time, they addressed some biomechanical issues, and the results started to become evident in the 2024-25 season. Nabi learned to effectively use the ball and adapt his bowling across different sessions of a match. He also focused on identifying batters’ weaknesses and improving his preparation. The inswing eventually became a potent weapon in his arsenal, and he later added the scrambled seam delivery, enhancing his overall effectiveness as a bowler.
Nabi attributes a significant part of his transformation to a change in mindset. He previously focused solely on taking wickets but now prioritises bowling in good areas, regardless of whether the ball swings in or away. This approach has also influenced how he handles challenging conditions, such as flat Indian pitches, where he trusts his basic technique rather than seeking magic deliveries.
Beyond his domestic success, Nabi also secured an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract worth Rs 8.40 crore with the Delhi Capitals. Although his first IPL season saw him fail to take a single wicket in five matches, he has plans to use his earnings to establish a cricket academy in Baramulla. He aims to provide facilities that were not available to him when he started playing, intending to find and train more aspiring cricketers from his hometown. The India squad for the series includes Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan (fitness pending), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, and Auqib Nabi.
The series holds considerable importance for both teams in the race to reach the ICC World Test Championship Final, scheduled to be played at The Oval next year. India currently sits fifth in the standings with a points percentage of 48.15, while Sri Lanka is in sixth place with 41.67.
Other players ruled out of the tour due to injury include Harshit Rana (hamstring), Nitish Kumar Reddy (quad), and Washington Sundar (hamstring), while Sai Sudharsan is recovering from a toe injury.
The first Test between India and Sri Lanka is set to commence on August 15 in Galle.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
