Team India’s preparations for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka have hit a major roadblock with premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah now ruled out of the tour.
What Exactly Happened to Jasprit Bumrah?
Bumrah, who boasts an elite Test bowling average of 20.49 and 173 wickets from 40 matches, picked up an impact injury to his left knee while fielding during the second ODI against England in Cardiff. The issue triggered reactive swelling, forcing him to sit out the series decider at Lord’s on July 19.
Although the 32-year-old was initially named in the squad led by Shubman Gill, subject to fitness clearance, assessments at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru revealed he has not yet resumed bowling.
Opting for a cautious roadmap, the medical staff advised against rushing him back.
Auqib Nabi Replaces Bumrah for the Sri Lanka Tests
With Bumrah missing the series, starting August 15 in Galle, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has shifted focus toward domestic performers. Jammu & Kashmir seam-bowling all-rounder Auqib Nabi got the call to fill the vacancy.
A maiden Test call-up for Auqib Nabi. 👏🇮🇳
He replaces Jasprit Bumrah in India’s Test squad.
📷: BCCI#teamindia #bharatarmy #coti🇮🇳 #auqibnabi #worldcup pic.twitter.com/sWBPbQJwyT— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) August 3, 2026
Nabi is coming off a stellar domestic season, spearheading Jammu & Kashmir’s historic Ranji Trophy triumph with a staggering 60 wickets. His ability to extract movement and generate consistent bounce caught the eye of selectors during the recent India A tour of Sri Lanka, where he claimed 6 wickets across two matches.
Having previously trained with the senior national squad ahead of the Test against Afghanistan, a maiden Test cap appears imminent for the 25-year-old.
The selection panel is also monitoring a depleted pace cabinet that already features injury absences like Harshit Rana and Akash Deep. As the squad prepares to depart, management will lean heavily on Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna to shoulder the primary burden of the pace attack.
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