SL vs IND: Who replaced Jasprit Bumrah in India's Test squad for Sri Lanka series?
Jasprit Bumrah’s injury forces India into a squad change.
India are all set to begin another important Test series as they head to Sri Lanka for a two-match series. The SL vs IND Tests will start from August 15 in Galle, and this is going to be a crucial series for Shubman Gill & Co. to build momentum in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 Cycle.
India are going with a balanced squad featuring experienced players like KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav, along with several young players who have impressed in domestic cricket.
The spin department is expected to play a crucial role given the conditions in Sri Lanka, but Indian fast bowlers’ role with the new ball will also be significant.
Before the squad was announced, there were already concerns over Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness after the star bowler suffered a left knee injury during the ODI series against England. Although he was initially included in the squad, his selection was subject to receiving fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE).
However, India have now suffered a major setback ahead of the SL vs IND Tests. The BCCI has officially confirmed that Bumrah has been ruled out after failing to recover fully from his injury. Jammu & Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi replaced Bumrah and got his maiden senior India call-up.
Auqib Nabi replaces injured Jasprit Bumrah
The BCCI has confirmed in a press release on August 3 that Jasprit Bumrah has not fully recovered from the left knee injury suffered during the ODI series against England. Therefore, the Selection Committee has named Auqib Nabi as his replacement for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
Who is Auqib Nabi?
Auqib Nabi is a 29-year-old right-arm fast bowler from Jammu & Kashmir who has received his maiden call-up to India’s senior Test team. Nabi had an impressive 104 wickets across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, including 60 wickets during the 2025-26 campaign.
His performances played a huge role in helping Jammu & Kashmir to win their maiden Ranji Trophy title. Auqib played the part of India A tour of Sri Lanka, where he picked up six wickets in the two first-class matches.
It’s a great opportunity for Nabi to prove himself at the highest level. If he can carry his Ranji Trophy form into international cricket, the Jammu & Kashmir pacer could become one of the key new faces in India’s Test setup.
India’s updated squad for the Sri Lanka Test series
Shubman Gill (C), KL Rahul (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, Sai Sudharsan (subject to fitness clearance).
Why was Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of the Sri Lanka Test series?
Bumrah was not fully recovered from the left knee injury he suffered during the ODI series against England and did not receive the fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
Who replaced Jasprit Bumrah in India’s Test squad?
Jammu & Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi has replaced Jasprit Bumrah in India’s squad for the two Tests against Sri Lanka
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Amit Patel is a passionate sports enthusiast and a devoted Virat Kohli admirer who proudly supports Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Having been involved in sports from a young age, he has played chess at the district level and represented his college in various competitions. Amit closely follows Indian cricket, with a special interest in tracking young talents and rising stars making their mark at the highest level. Alongside his love for the game, he is an experienced sports content writer who enjoys crafting stories that connect with fans.