New Delhi: Premier Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the upcoming two match Test series against Sri Lanka due to a lingering knee injury. In a significant development, twenty nine year old Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi is set to replace him, earning his maiden call up to the senior national Test squad.
The swelling in Bumrah’s knee is reportedly more severe than the medical staff initially assessed. Keeping a packed international cricket calendar in mind, the sports science team at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru firmly advised against rushing the seasoned pacer back into the rigorous grind of five day cricket. The highly anticipated Test series is scheduled to begin on August 15 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.
Confirming the squad change, a source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India told the Press Trust of India that Bumrah is not fit and Auqib Nabi has been officially approved as his replacement. With this landmark selection, Nabi becomes only the third cricketer from his region, following Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik, to join the senior national setup, and the very first to earn a spot in the traditional red ball format.
Nabi, who hails from Baramulla, has been a dominant force in the Indian domestic circuit. He was the chief architect of the historic Ranji Trophy championship victory for Jammu and Kashmir in the 2025 to 2026 season, where he claimed a staggering 60 wickets in just ten matches. This stellar performance followed an impressive tally of 44 wickets in the preceding season. Overall, his first class record boasts over 160 wickets in 43 matches, including 16 impressive five wicket hauls.
The selectors were also heavily influenced by his recent familiarisation with the local conditions. Touring with the India A squad to Sri Lanka, Nabi picked up six wickets across two unofficial matches in Galle. Beyond his lethal pace bowling, he is known as a handy lower order batter, having scored crucial runs and two half centuries for his state team. The upcoming tour presents a massive opportunity for the Delhi Capitals bowler to showcase his skills on the international stage while the Indian management prioritises the long term fitness of their premier strike bowler.