Jammu and Kashmir's Auqib Nabi has been selected for his maiden India Test call-up for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, stepping in for the injured Jasprit Bumrah. The 29-year-old pacer earned his place through outstanding domestic performances, most notably leading Jammu & Kashmir to their first Ranji Trophy title as the leading wicket-taker. This selection underscores the BCCI's commitment to recognizing domestic talent and provides a significant opportunity for Nabi to represent his country on the international stage.

Jammu and Kashmir's Auqib Nabi has been selected for his maiden India Test call-up for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, stepping in for the injured Jasprit Bumrah. The 29-year-old pacer earned his place through outstanding domestic performances, most notably leading Jammu & Kashmir to their first Ranji Trophy title as the leading wicket-taker. This selection underscores the BCCI's commitment to recognizing domestic talent and provides a significant opportunity for Nabi to represent his country on the international stage.

Jammu and Kashmir's Auqib Nabi has been selected for his maiden India Test call-up for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, stepping in for the injured Jasprit Bumrah. The 29-year-old pacer earned his place through outstanding domestic performances, most notably leading Jammu & Kashmir to their first Ranji Trophy title as the leading wicket-taker. This selection underscores the BCCI's commitment to recognizing domestic talent and provides a significant opportunity for Nabi to represent his country on the international stage.

Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi got his maiden India call-up today when the BCCI selection committee named him in the 15-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

He will replace pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who was initially included in the Test squad subject to fitness clearance, but was released as he is yet to fully recover from the left knee injury he suffered last month during the ODI series against England.

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The 29-year-old right-arm pacer from Baramulla is only the second cricketer from the state to make it to the national side after bowling all-rounder Parvez Rasool.

"What is meant for you will find you. No amount of rejection or ignorance can change your destiny. Heartiest congratulations, Aquib Nabi [sic], on your well-deserved selection to the Indian Test squad. May Allah bless you with continued success, good health, and many memorable achievements. Keep making us proud, as always,” Rasool said in a Facebook post.

Nabi had earlier missed out on national selection in the one-off Test against Afghanistan despite his excellent record in consecutive Ranji Trophy seasons (104 wickets). In the 2025-26 season, he played a key role in Jammu & Kashmir’s historic first Ranji Trophy title win by emerging as the top wicket-taker with 60 wickets. It helped him earn a place in the India A squad in the recent tour of Sri Lanka where he picked up six wickets, including figures of 4 for 58, during the two unofficial Tests.

“The selection of Auqib Nabi Dar, and earlier of Saaransh Jain, is an encouraging sign for performers in domestic cricket. It doesn't matter how old you are, if you keep performing, there is a window of opportunity open for you”, said Harsha Bhogle on X.

India's pace battery will also have Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar. Kudeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain will form the spin attack. The Indian squad will play a three-day warm-up match in Colombo from August 7. The two-match Test series against Sri Lanka will start from August 15 at Galle.

The Test team is led by Shubman Gill, with KL Rahul as the deputy. Sai Sudharsan is part of the squad but is subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI.

Updated India squad for the Sri Lanka Test series:

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, and Auqib Nabi.  

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