J&K fast bowler Auqib Nabi earns maiden India call-up in Test squad for Sri Lanka tour

The 29-year-old right-arm medium-pacer from Sheeri village in Baramulla becomes the third cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to receive senior India call-up

After scripting a spectacular victory in the Ranji Trophy finals against Karnataka this year, Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi, affectionately nicknamed the “Baramulla Express”, has finally earned his maiden national team call-up to the India Test squad for the upcoming two-match series in Sri Lanka, replacing the injured Jasprit Bumrah.

The 29-year-old right-arm medium-pacer from Sheeri village in Baramulla becomes only the third cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to receive a senior India call-up after Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik, but the first from the region to be selected in India’s Test squad.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) picked an in-form pacer after Bumrah could not fully recover from a left knee injury sustained during the recent ODI series against England. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Auqib Nabi as Bumrah’s replacement.

Nabi, known for accurate swing and seam bowling, is expected to sharpen India’s pace attack during the Test series in Sri Lanka, beginning August 15.

Tears of joy and pure elation filled Nabi’s home in Baramulla as news broke that the Jammu and Kashmir pacer had been named in India’s Test squad for the Sri Lanka series. At the centre of the celebration stood his father, voice thick with emotion, describing the moment as the long-awaited fulfilment of a cherished family dream. Years of quiet sacrifice, relentless hard work, unwavering patience and countless prayers had finally found their reward as the “Baramulla Express” earned his maiden call-up to the Indian Test team.”It is difficult to explain my feelings today,” said Ghulam Nabi Dar, overwhelmed and smiling through tears shortly after the BCCI confirmed Nabi’s inclusion as a replacement for the injured Jasprit Bumrah. “This was our dream… and today, it is fulfilled.”

Nabi has earned his place in the Team India with his stellar performance in domestic cricket. He is fast emerging as one of India’s most reliable red-ball fast bowlers and also offers useful lower-order runs.

His childhood friends also celebrated his selection in TEAM INDIA in Sheeri, Baramulla. Replacing a bowler like Jasprit Bumrah is no small achievement. It shows how far Auqib has come through his hard work and performances,” said one of his friends.

Across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, he claimed 104 wickets. In the 2025-26 campaign, he finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 60 scalps at an average of approximately 12.5-12.6, playing a central role as Jammu and Kashmir lifted the Ranji Trophy for the first time in their history. He was named Player of the Tournament.

Nabi also impressed on the recent India A tour of Sri Lanka, taking six wickets in two first-class matches against Sri Lanka A, including figures of 4 for 58. Earlier, Delhi Capitals bought him for Rs 8.4 crore at the IPL 2026 mini-auction.

Auqib, who replaced injured pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the Test series against Sri Lanka, had earlier broken into the IPL and India A setup. His father said seeing his son now reach the Indian Test team was a moment of immense pride for the entire family. He said the family had always believed that Auqib would eventually earn his place in the national side despite facing disappointments when his name did not figure in earlier selections.

“We always had faith. We trusted the selection committee and believed that if he continued performing, his opportunity would come. Today, he has rewarded for that patience,” he said.

His selection follows earlier near-misses, including being overlooked for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June despite strong advocacy from several former players and observers.

India’s updated squad includes Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan (subject to fitness), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi.