Auqib Nabi replaces injured Jasprit Bumrah for Sri Lanka series
Nabi will become only third cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to earn senior India call-up
Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi has received his maiden India Test call-up after being named as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
Nabi is the only the third cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to earn a senior India call-up after Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik, both of whom represented the national team in the white-ball format.
“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 Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler earns his maiden call-up to the senior national team,” the BCCI said in a statement on Monday.
The 28-year-old has been one of the standout performers in domestic cricket, claiming more than 100 wickets across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons. He played a pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir’s impressive red-ball campaign and has also contributed valuable runs lower down the order.
Major blow
Despite undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, the premier fast bowler failed to recover in time for the series.
Bumrah had initially been included in India’s squad subject to clearing a final fitness assessment, with early reports suggesting he had passed the required tests. However, persistent discomfort in his left knee prompted the BCCI medical team to take a cautious approach and withdraw him from the squad rather than risk aggravating the injury.
The 32-year-old sustained the injury while fielding during the second ODI against England in Cardiff, suffering an impact to his left knee that caused reactive swelling. The setback ruled him out of the third ODI at Lord’s before he began an intensive rehabilitation programme at the CoE.
As part of his recovery, Bumrah received an injection last month after medical staff concluded it could help speed up the healing process. There was optimism he could return for the second Test in Colombo, but his rehabilitation progressed slower than anticipated, ending any hopes of him featuring in the series.
His absence leaves India without their strike fast bowler for the two-Test contest, which begins in Galle on August 15.
