Published on: Aug 3, 2026 1:25 pm IST|Updated on: Aug 3, 2026 1:25 pm IST
Team India selection committee, led by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, has named Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auiqb Nabi Dar as an injury replacement for senior paceman Jasprit Bumrah for the Sri Lankan Test series. Team India is all set to tour Sri Lanka for 2 Test matches starting from August 15.
The 29-year-old right-arm medium-fast bowler from Sheeri, Baramulla, was named as speedster Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement, who was officially ruled out due to an unresolved left knee injury that he picked up during the second ODI against England last month.
Auqib Nabi’s march into the national side is built on relentless consistency and sheer hard work he has put in over the years. During the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season, Nabi was the standout bowler in the country, spearheading Jammu and Kashmir to their historic maiden Ranji Trophy title. He finished the season as the leading wicket-taker with an incredible tally of 60 wickets at an astounding average of 12.65, which helped him earn the Player of the Tournament award.
Across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons combined, the seam bowler bagged 104 wickets, constantly dismantling opposition batting lineups on various surfaces. What makes Auqib Nabi a standout performer is his ability to swing the new ball both ways. Although he isn’t an express pacer, Auqib knows the craft of moving the new ball in both directions.
Nabi’s numbers in First-Class cricket reflect his exceptional impact as a premier strike bowler and a handy lower-order batter:
Auqib Nabi won’t be entering an unknown territory when India tour Sri Lanka for the 2-match Test series. Nabi’s recent tour with the India A squad in Sri Lanka provided a valuable preview of his capabilities in subcontinental conditions. Playing in Galle, he picked up six wickets across two first-class matches against Sri Lanka A, proving his readiness for overseas subcontinental conditions.
With India seeking key points to boost their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standing, Nabi joins a fast-bowling unit comprising Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar. His arrival adds skill, discipline, and raw confidence to the squad.
Nabi also becomes only the third cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to represent the Indian senior team, following in the footsteps of Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik, and the very first fast bowler from the region to earn a spot in India’s Test squad.
Below is the updated squad of Team India for the 2-match Test series against Sri Lanka.
The Squad: Shubman Gill (C), KL Rahul (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Auqib Nabi Dar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Saransh Jain
Below is the schedule of India’s Tour of Sri Lanka 2026.