Before the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, Auqib Nabi was called up to the India Test team for the first time on Monday, August 3, 2026, to replace the injured Jasprit Bumrah.
The 29-year-old Jammu and Kashmir seamer was the first Kashmir valley resident to be selected for the Indian Test team. Nabi is the third Jammu and Kashmiri player to be called up to the senior national side, joining Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik.
After Bumrah was unable to recover from a left knee injury sustained in Cardiff during the second ODI against England in July, Auqib Nabi was selected. Bumrah’s troubles after the T20 World Cup have been aggravated by his injury.
Auqib Nabi received the surprising news of his Test selection while at the airport, preparing to travel to Bangalore for Center of Excellence training. His late inclusion as a replacement was particularly remarkable because the India squad for the Sri Lanka tour had already been announced, making the call surprising.
“I was in the airport. We had to attend a camp at CoE. I was going to take my flight to Bangalore. So, I received a call enquiring where I was. In a video published by the BCCI, Auqib Nabi stated, “I told him that I was going to Bangalore; I was at the airport.”
However, he was directed to come to Sri Lanka instead. You’ve been selected. Initially, I couldn’t believe it. It was unexpected as the squad had already been announced. “I was like, I’ll work hard in the camp at CoE,” he said.
Auqib Nabi gets a chance thanks to domestic efforts.
Nabi’s selection was based on strong domestic results from the previous two seasons. He took 104 wickets in the previous two Ranji Trophy seasons, including 60 in 2025-26, when he helped Jammu and Kashmir win their first Ranji Trophy.
He also grabbed six wickets in two first-class matches when touring Sri Lanka with the India A team. However, as a cricketer, you must understand that your job is to perform. I expected a call-up sooner or later.
Nabi believes that after years of hard effort, it’s time to reap the benefits. He used to believe that his duty is to take wickets and perform, and the rest is up to God. I am overjoyed that my name has been mentioned, and so is my family.
This could not be a more important moment for me. The atmosphere was excellent. Sharing the dressing room with the people we see on TV, as well as the nets, was a significant deal for me,” he said.
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