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| Dream debut: Pacer Auqib Nabi gets India test call-up | | |  Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 3: In a major breakthrough for Jammu and Kashmir cricket, young fast bowler Auqib Nabi has earned his maiden call-up to the Indian senior men’s Test team after replacing injured pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.
Bumrah has been ruled out of the series after failing to fully recover from a left knee injury sustained during the ODI series against England. The national selection committee has named Auqib as his replacement, rewarding the Jammu and Kashmir pacer for his outstanding performances in domestic cricket.
The selection marks the first senior India call-up for Auqib, who has emerged as one of the country’s most promising fast bowlers. His consistent performances over the past two Ranji Trophy seasons played a crucial role in earning him a place in the national squad.
The 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season proved to be a landmark campaign for the young pacer. He claimed an impressive 60 wickets, helping Jammu and Kashmir win their maiden Ranji Trophy title. Across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, Auqib has taken a remarkable 104 wickets, establishing himself as one of the most successful bowlers in the domestic circuit.
Auqib recently toured Sri Lanka with the India A team, where he picked up six wickets in two first-class matches, further strengthening his case for national selection. His consistent domestic performances and impressive showing on the Sri Lanka tour ultimately convinced the selectors to hand him his first opportunity at the highest level.
The right-arm pacer has played 43 first-class matches, taking 162 wickets at an impressive strike rate. His best bowling figures are 7 for 24, and he has claimed five-wicket hauls on 16 occasions. Besides his exploits with the ball, Auqib has contributed with the bat, scoring 999 first-class runs at an average of 18.84, including two half-centuries.
In limited-overs cricket, he has featured in 36 List A matches, taking 56 wickets, with best figures of 4 for 39. He has also scored 572 runs in the format at an average of 27.23, including a century. In 39 T20 matches, Auqib has claimed 43 wickets, with best figures of 4 for 16.
India will be led by Shubman Gill during the Sri Lanka Test series, with KL Rahul serving as vice-captain. Wicketkeepers Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel have been included in the squad, while Sai Sudharsan’s selection remains subject to fitness clearance. Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja returns to the Test squad, while Saransh Jain, a 33-year-old spin all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh, has received his maiden call-up.
The two-Test series against Sri Lanka assumes added significance for India in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. After suffering a 2-0 home series defeat to South Africa, the Gill-led side will be aiming to return to winning ways and strengthen its chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final. |
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