Auqib Nabi Earns Maiden India Test Call-Up for Sri Lanka Series

Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi has earned his maiden India Test call-up for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, replacing the injured Jasprit Bumrah. The 29-year-old seamer revealed he was at the airport, preparing to board a flight to a training camp in Bengaluru, when he received the unexpected news that he was being drafted into the squad.

Nabi, who was en route to join a camp at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, described the moment as unbelievable. "I got a call asking where I was. I told them that I was going to Bangalore and I was at the airport. They told me that I didn't have to go there, I had to come to Sri Lanka and that I was selected," Nabi said in a video released by the BCCI. "At first, I couldn't believe it. It was unexpected because the squad was already out."

The call-up comes on the back of two outstanding Ranji Trophy seasons for Nabi. He was the leading wicket-taker in the 2025-26 season with 60 scalps in 10 matches, playing a pivotal role in guiding Jammu and Kashmir to their historic maiden Ranji Trophy title. He had also taken 44 wickets in the previous season. Nabi had previously been part of the India A squad that toured Sri Lanka, where he...