Auqib Nabi’s Ranji Heroics Earn Maiden India Call-Up as Bumrah Sidelined Again

Jammu and Kashmir’s fairytale Ranji Trophy triumph has produced its first India Test cap. Auqib Nabi, the 29-year-old seamer who played a pivotal role in his state’s historic title win, has been named as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, the BCCI confirmed.

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦:

Auqib Nabi replaces Jasprit Bumrah in India’s Test squad.

Details 🔽 #TeamIndia | #SLvIND https://t.co/lAf25FbpDN

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 3, 2026

The call-up comes as Bumrah continues to battle the left knee injury he sustained during the second ODI against England last month. The premier fast bowler had been included in the squad subject to clearing a fitness assessment at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, but has not recovered in time.

Nabi’s selection is the culmination of two outstanding Ranji Trophy campaigns. He has claimed 104 wickets across the last two seasons, with 60 of those coming in the 2025-26 campaign, when he was instrumental in Jammu and Kashmir lifting their maiden Ranji Trophy title.

The right-arm seamer had already been on the selectors’ radar, earning a place in the India A squad for the recent tour of Sri Lanka. He justified that selection with six wickets in the two four-day matches against Sri Lanka A, including figures of 4 for 58 in the first innings of the opening game.

Bumrah’s Injury Woes Deepen

For Bumrah, the latest setback prolongs an increasingly concerning pattern of injury interruptions. His workload had already been carefully managed following the back injury he suffered during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, and he featured in only three of the five Tests in England last year before being rested for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June.

His absence leaves a significant void in India’s pace attack, though Nabi’s recent form suggests he is well-placed to fill the gap.

The Sri Lanka series also marks a new chapter for India’s Test side, with Shubman Gill leading the squad and KL Rahul serving as vice-captain. Sai Sudharsan remains part of the squad, subject to fitness clearance.

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

                                               

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