Kashmir’s Auqib Nabi earns maiden India Test call-up

Fast bowler Auqib Nabi has received his maiden India Test call-up after being named in the squad for the upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka, replacing injured pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Bumrah has been rested after failing to recover fully from the left knee injury he sustained during the ODI series against England. The premier fast bowler also did not clear his latest fitness assessment at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, delaying his return to international cricket.

Nabi's selection follows an outstanding run in domestic cricket. The 29-year-old has claimed 104 wickets across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, including 60 wickets in the 2025–26 campaign, playing a pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir's historic maiden Ranji Trophy title.

The right-arm pacer further strengthened his case during India A's recent tour of Sri Lanka, where he picked up six wickets in two four-day matches. His standout performance came in the opening fixture, returning figures of 4 for 58 in the first innings.

With his inclusion, Nabi becomes the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to earn a place in India's Test squad. Previously, Parvez Rasool represented India in one ODI and one T20I, while express pacer Umran Malik featured in 10 ODIs and eight T20Is.

India's team management has continued to take a cautious approach with Bumrah's workload after recurring injury concerns. The fast bowler battled back and lower-back issues during the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia and has since been managed carefully, including scheduled rest during last year's home Test series against England.

India will tour Sri Lanka under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, with KL Rahul serving as vice-captain. The first Test will begin in Galle on August 15, followed by the second in Colombo on August 23.

Meanwhile, batter Sai Sudharsan's place in the final playing group remains subject to clearance from a final fitness assessment.

India Test Squad

Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi.