Premier Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is reportedly set to miss the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, a development stemming from his ongoing recovery from a knee injury. The absence of the key pacer has opened the door for Jammu and Kashmir‘s promising seamer, Auqib Nabi, who is understood to be on the verge of earning his maiden call-up to the national squad. This potential inclusion marks a significant moment for Jammu and Kashmir cricket, with Nabi poised to become the third player from the region to represent India at the senior level, following in the footsteps of Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik, both of whom were previously summoned for white-ball engagements.
Sources close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have confirmed that Bumrah is not yet fit to participate in the demanding Test series. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that Auqib Nabi has been approved as a potential replacement, indicating a shift in selection strategy due to Bumrah’s injury. Nabi has been a standout performer in domestic cricket, having claimed over 100 wickets in the last two Ranji Trophy seasons and playing a pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir’s success in red-ball cricket. Beyond his bowling prowess, he is also recognized as a capable batsman, adding an all-round dimension to his game.
The knee injury sustained by Bumrah appears to be more serious than initially assessed. The Sports Science team at the National Cricket Academy’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru has advised against rushing the seasoned bowler back into the rigors of international cricket, particularly with a packed schedule on the horizon. Officials overseeing the Centre of Excellence, Dhananjay and Thulasi, have made the decision that Bumrah cannot be risked at this juncture. This stance has reportedly left both the team management and the selection committee surprised, as they had initially been led to believe that Bumrah might be available for at least one of the two Tests against Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka series is scheduled to commence on August 15 in Galle.
Bumrah’s injury woes resurfaced recently when he missed the third One Day International against England at Lord’s last month due to an impact injury. He had subsequently reported to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru with the expectation of being match-fit in time for the Sri Lanka series. However, reports indicate that he is still experiencing discomfort. Even if he were to regain fitness before August 15 or the second Test, which is slated to begin in Colombo on August 23, the medical team remains uncertain about the suitability of a Test match as the format for his comeback, given the considerable workload involved, especially on potentially docile pitches. The selection committee is now faced with the decision of whether to opt for Jammu and Kashmir’s Auqib Nabi or Vidarbha’s Yash Thakur as Bumrah’s replacement in the squad.
The Indian team is already grappling with the unavailability of several players due to injuries. Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, and Washington Sundar are all sidelined with hamstring niggles and are expected to miss at least the first Test. In a separate development, B Sai Sudharsan is currently spending 75 minutes in net sessions at the Centre of Excellence as he steadily recovers from a foot injury sustained during a recent India A series in Sri Lanka. It remains to be seen in the coming days whether Sudharsan will be fit to be considered for selection for the series against Sri Lanka. The situation highlights the challenges faced by team management in maintaining a full-strength squad amidst a demanding international cricket calendar.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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