A dream has come true for Jammu and Kashmir’s star fast bowler. 29-year-old right-arm pacer Auqib Nabi Dar got his first ever call-up to the Indian Test team on Monday, August 2. He has replaced Jasprit Bumrah in India’s 15-member squad for the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka.
Auqib Nabi, who was brilliant in the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, travelled with the Indian team to Sri Lanka on Tuesday, August 4, and had his first training session with the senior team on Wednesday.
After bowling in the nets, he shared his excitement on social media. Auqib Nabi shared an Instagram Story in which he reposted a BCCI post that showed him bowling in the nets.
Here is his post:
This call-up was a long time coming. In the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, Auqib Nabi took 60 wickets and played a huge role in helping Jammu and Kashmir win their first ever Ranji Trophy title. He was actually expected to get his maiden call-up back in June for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur, but the selectors surprisingly ignored him.
He was also not picked in the original 15-member squad announced on July 28 for the Sri Lanka series. He only got a chance after Jasprit Bumrah failed to recover from the knee injury he suffered during the ODI series against England last month.
Now the big question is whether he will get to play. Mohammed Siraj will be leading India’s pace attack in the first Test. For the second fast bowler’s spot, there is a three-way fight between Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi.
Because of his experience, Prasidh Krishna is currently the favourite. But a strong performance in the three-day practice match in Colombo this week could bring Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi into the race as well.
Gurnoor Brar has already played six ODIs for India, while Auqib Nabi is yet to make his debut for India in any format. However, he is familiar with Sri Lankan conditions. He toured Sri Lanka with the India A team in June-July and played both unofficial Tests in Galle, where he picked up four wickets in the first innings of the first Test.
All the best to the Indian team for Sri Lanka series!
