IND vs SL Tests: BCCI names Auqib Nabi as Jasprit Bumrah's replacement

Auqib Nabi (Pic: BCCI)

Team India is set to lock horns with Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series. The first match is scheduled to be played from August 15 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium near Galle Fort.

Team India's lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the series as he has not yet fully recovered from the left knee injury which he had sustained during the recently concluded ODI series against England.

The Sports Science team in Bengaluru's Centre of Excellence doesn't want to rush Bumrah, considering the packed international calendar.

Following his absence, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced Auqib Nabi as his replacement in India's squad. This is his maiden call-up to the senior national team.

"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.

The pacer has bagged 104 wickets in the previous two Ranji Trophy seasons, including 60 scalps in the 2025-26 campaign.

Additionally, Madhya Pradesh's veteran off-spinner Saransh Jain has received a maiden call-up. He has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket. According to several media reports, Jain was in contention for the series due to Washington Sundar's unavailability for the first Test match. Sundar is busy with his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.

Also, B Sai Sudharsan's appearance in the series will also be subject to fitness clearance as he is still recovering from the foot injury. The left-handed batsman sustained an injury during the recent India A series.

Meanwhile, veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will also mark his comeback after recovering from a tennis elbow injury during the concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

Recently, Team India registered a 3-0 win in the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe.

India's squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka

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.

(With PTI Inputs)