"Historic Moment: Auqib Nabi Becomes First J&K Player To Be Picked In India's Test Squad"

REPORT.

NEW DELHI: India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka due to a left knee injury, and in his place the BCCI has named uncapped Jammu & Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi for his maiden national call-up.The BCCI announced on Monday that Bumrah, who sustained the injury while fielding in an ODI against England in Cardiff in July, was initially in the squad subject to fitness but was withdrawn after persistent discomfort during rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. 

WHO IS AUQIB NABI?

Domestic Record: The 29-year-old right-arm seamer was the star of J&K’s historic *2025-26 Ranji Trophy title win, finishing as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker with 60 wickets in 17 innings at an average of 12.65.

Overall Form: He has picked up 104 wickets across the last two Ranji seasons.

India A Experience: Nabi also played for India A on their tour of Sri Lanka in June-July, taking 6 wickets in 2 first-class matches.

Historic First: He becomes the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to be picked in India’s senior Test squad.

INDIA'S UPDATED SQUAD FOR SRI LANKA TESTS:

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

Participation of Sai Sudharsan subject to fitness clearance 

SERIES SCHEDULE:

India will begin the series in Galle on August 15, with the second Test in Colombo starting August 23.

REACTION:

Nabi’s selection comes after months of debate. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had earlier said Nabi was “close” to a call-up, and former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan had questioned why top domestic performers like Nabi were being overlooked. 

With Bumrah out, Mohammed Siraj will lead the pace attack, supported by Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar and now Nabi.

 #TeamIndia #Bumrah #AuqibNabi #INDvSL #TestCricket #Jammu And Kashmir #BCCI #RanjiTrophy