The BCCI confirmed the alteration after Bumrah was ruled out of the series due to a left knee injury incurred during the ODI series against England.
“The Men’s Selection Committee has named Auqib Nabi as Bumrah’s replacement. The fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir earns his first call-up to the senior squad,” the BCCI revealed in a statement.
The two-match Test series kicks off on August 15 in Galle.
Who is Auqib Nabi?
The 29-year-old seamer hails from a remote village in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir and has established himself as one of India’s most reliable domestic fast bowlers over the past two seasons.
Nabi played a crucial role in Jammu and Kashmir’s first Ranji Trophy victory, concluding the 2025-26 season with 60 wickets. In the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, he has taken 104 wickets, solidifying his status as one of the top wicket-takers in domestic cricket.
In addition to his bowling prowess, Nabi is also recognized as a competent lower-order batter.
His remarkable domestic performances secured him a spot on the recent India A tour of Sri Lanka, where he achieved six wickets in two first-class matches.
The pacer now becomes the third player from Jammu and Kashmir to earn a senior India call-up, following Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik, and is the first from the Kashmir Valley to be selected for India’s Test squad.
Bumrah ruled out
Bumrah was initially included in the squad but could not fully recover from the knee injury sustained during the England ODI series.
His knee swelling has taken longer to resolve than anticipated, leading the Sports Science team at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to rule him out to avoid further injury ahead of a busy international schedule.
The star fast bowler had already missed the third ODI against England at Lord’s due to the injury.
Meanwhile, batter Sai Sudharsan remains in the squad, though his participation is contingent on receiving fitness approval as he continues to recover from a foot injury sustained during the recent India A tour of Sri Lanka.
India’s updated squad for Sri Lanka Tests
Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), 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.
India will commence the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka on August 15 in Galle, with attention now focused on Nabi as the uncapped seamer prepares for the most significant opportunity of his career.
