Jasprit Bumrah to Miss Sri Lanka Tour; Auqib Nabi Set for National Debut

Jasprit Bumrah's ongoing knee injury has ruled him out of India's two-Test series against Sri Lanka, leading to Auqib Nabi's anticipated debut. With Bumrah's condition more serious than initially thought, the BCCI has decided to prioritize his recovery. The series begins on August 15, and the selectors face a choice between Nabi and Yash Thakur as Bumrah's replacement. Additionally, India is dealing with multiple injuries in the squad, raising questions about their lineup. Stay tuned for updates on player availability and team dynamics as the series approaches.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 2, 2026, 23:31 IST

Bumrah's Injury Forces Him Out of Sri Lanka Series

India's premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, will not participate in the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka due to an ongoing knee injury that has yet to heal.

In a significant development, Auqib Nabi, a seamer from Jammu and Kashmir, is poised to receive his first call-up to the national squad.

Nabi will join the ranks of Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik as the third player from Jammu and Kashmir to earn a senior national selection, with both Rasool and Malik previously included in the white-ball format.

A source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed, 'Bumrah is not fit, and Auqib Nabi has been approved as his replacement.'

Over the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, Nabi has taken over 100 wickets and played a crucial role in Jammu and Kashmir's red-ball success, showcasing his batting skills as well.

The swelling in Bumrah's knee appears to be more severe than initially assessed, prompting the Sports Science team at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to prioritize his long-term health over immediate participation in international matches, especially with a busy schedule ahead.

'The leaders at the COE, Dhananjay and Thulasi, have concluded that Bumrah cannot be risked. Initially, both the team management and selection committee were optimistic about Bumrah's availability for at least one of the two Tests,' a BCCI source revealed, highlighting the confusion surrounding the COE's decisions.

The series against Sri Lanka is set to commence on August 15 in Galle.

Bumrah, aged 32, had previously missed the third ODI against England at Lord's last month due to an impact injury.

He recently arrived at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, with hopes of being match-ready by the start of the Sri Lanka series.

However, reports indicate that Bumrah is still experiencing discomfort.

Even if he recovers before August 15 or the second Test starting on August 23 in Colombo, the medical team is uncertain whether a Test match is the best way to reintegrate him, given the demanding nature of the format on slower pitches.

It remains to be seen whether selectors will opt for Auqib Nabi or Vidarbha's Yash Thakur as Bumrah's replacement.

India is already facing challenges with Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, and Washington Sundar all sidelined due to hamstring injuries, missing at least the first Test.

B Sai Sudharsan is gradually recovering from a foot injury sustained during the recent India A series in Sri Lanka, currently batting for 75 minutes in nets at the COE.

His availability for the series against Sri Lanka will be confirmed in the coming days.