Fast bowler Aaqib Nabi has earned his maiden call-up to the Indian Test squad after being named as Jasprit Bumrah's replacement for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. The series begins on August 15 in Galle, with Shubman Gill leading the Indian side.

The selection marks a major milestone for the 23-year-old pacer, who becomes the first cricketer from Jammu & Kashmir to be selected in India's Test squad. While Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik have previously represented India in limited-overs cricket, neither featured in the Test format.

Bumrah Ruled Out

Bumrah was ruled out of the Sri Lanka series after failing to recover fully from a knee injury. Reports suggest the BCCI and team management decided against rushing the premier fast bowler back into action, keeping his long-term workload and fitness in mind.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the squad change but did not specify the reason behind Bumrah's withdrawal or Nabi's inclusion.

Reward for Outstanding Domestic Form

Aaqib Nabi's selection follows an exceptional domestic season. The right-arm pacer claimed 60 wickets in 10 Ranji Trophy matches during the 2025-26 season, including seven five-wicket hauls, emerging as one of the country's leading red-ball bowlers.

Across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, Nabi has taken 104 wickets, underlining his consistency and ability to perform in longer-format cricket.

His performances proved crucial during the knockout stages, where he delivered match-winning spells against Madhya Pradesh in the quarter-finals, Bengal in the semi-finals and Karnataka in the final. His contributions helped Jammu & Kashmir lift their maiden Ranji Trophy title, making him one of the standout performers of the domestic season.

Strong India A Performance

Before receiving his maiden Test call-up, Nabi travelled with the India A team on its recent tour of Sri Lanka. He impressed selectors by taking six wickets in two first-class matches, further strengthening his claim for a place in the senior national squad.

India Eye Strong Start

India will begin the two-match Test series under the leadership of Shubman Gill, with KL Rahul serving as vice-captain. Wicketkeepers Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel have also been included in the squad.

The Sri Lanka series is expected to play an important role in India's World Test Championship campaign, particularly after the team's recent 0-2 home Test series defeat against South Africa.

For Aaqib Nabi, the opportunity represents the biggest moment of his career so far, with the young pacer set to make the transition from domestic cricket to the international stage.