Auqib Nabi's maiden Test call-up: J&K pacer breaks historic barrier for India
Synopsis
Auqib Nabi's selection in India's Test squad is more than a personal milestone — it is the first time a Jammu & Kashmir cricketer has broken into the country's Test setup, a barrier that teammates say has been shut for generations. After 104 domestic wickets in two seasons and a snub for the Afghanistan Test, the 'Baramulla Express' finally has his ticket to the highest stage.
Key Takeaways
Auqib Nabi has been named in India's Test squad for the two-match series in Sri Lanka , beginning 15 August .
He is the first cricketer from Jammu & Kashmir to be included in an Indian Test squad.
Nabi replaces Jasprit Bumrah , who is sidelined with left knee discomfort sustained in Cardiff.
He claimed 104 wickets across two domestic seasons, including a 60-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy-winning campaign.
Nabi took six wickets for India A in Galle ahead of the Test call-up.
India currently sit fifth on the WTC points table , with qualification for the final still in contention.
Right-arm pacer Auqib Nabi from Sheeri village, Baramulla, became the first cricketer from Jammu & Kashmir to earn a place in the Indian men's Test squad on Monday, 3 August, when he was named as a replacement for injured pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming two-match Test series in Sri Lanka, beginning 15 August. The selection ends what teammates and coaches describe as an agonisingly long wait for one of domestic cricket's most consistent performers.
The Road from Baramulla to the Test Squad
Nabi's rise is rooted in relentless domestic output. Over the past two seasons, the right-arm pacer accumulated an astonishing 104 wickets, including a 60-wicket campaign that powered Jammu & Kashmir to their maiden Ranji Trophy title earlier this year. Despite being the top wicket-taker of the domestic season, he was controversially overlooked for India's one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, drawing widespread criticism from cricket followers. His recent India A outing in Galle — where he claimed six wickets — kept him firmly in the selectors' sights when Bumrah's injury created an opening.
Why Bumrah's Absence Opened the Door
Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out with left knee discomfort, sustained during an ODI against England in Cardiff last month. The timing is particularly sensitive: the Shubman Gill-led side currently sits fifth on the World Test Championship (WTC) points table, with final qualification hopes hanging in the balance. In Bumrah's absence, India will need to reconfigure their pace-bowling unit, and Nabi — with his first-hand familiarity of Galle's conditions from the A-tour — is well-placed to step in should the opportunity arise.
A Historic Milestone for J&K Cricket
Nabi is only the third player from Jammu & Kashmir to represent India at the national level, after Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik featured in white-ball cricket. He is, however, the first from the state to be included in a Test squad — a distinction that has triggered widespread celebration across the region. Nicknamed the 'Baramulla Express', Nabi was first spotted in 2010 by Muzaffar Mattoo, a BCCI-qualified coach, playing in his backyard, and was brought into the Baramulla Cricket Club.
What His Teammates and Coaches Are Saying
Sunil Kumar, Nabi's new-ball partner in domestic cricket, described the selection as the reward of years of quiet determination. 'Today, his hard work has yielded the fruit he truly deserves,' Kumar said. He added that the call-up carries significance beyond Nabi himself: 'Now, we all can see that he has achieved it. So, everyone here will get a boost as now that door is open, which was closed for a long time. More players and more talent can come out of J&K and they can achieve their ultimate goal.'
Coach Mattoo, who guided J&K's under-16 side to the Vijay Merchant Trophy Plate Group title in the 2025-26 season, was equally effusive. 'It's a great moment for all of us and for the whole of Jammu & Kashmir. We hope that he carries the same form there in Sri Lanka,' he said, recalling how he first identified Nabi's potential over a decade ago.
What Happens Next
Breaking into the playing eleven remains a competitive challenge. The squad also includes fellow seamers Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna. With Sri Lanka's subcontinental tracks typically favouring spin, India are expected to field just two primary seamers. Nabi's recent Galle experience gives him an edge in the selection conversation. He is set to travel to Sri Lanka with the team on Tuesday. As Kumar put it simply: 'I would like to tell him to do what he has been doing. Nothing new has to be done.'
Point of View
A Ranji Trophy title, and a six-wicket India A outing in Galle should have been enough to earn a Test berth before now. The outcry over his omission from the Afghanistan Test was legitimate, and the selectors' decision to wait for an injury vacancy rather than proactively back the domestic season's standout performer raises questions about how the selection system values red-ball dominance. The broader J&K cricket story is equally significant: with Ranji Trophy glory and now a Test squad entry, the state has built genuine pipeline depth — but converting squad inclusions into playing XI appearances, especially on spin-friendly Lankan tracks, will be the real test of whether the selectors back their own picks.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Auqib Nabi and why has he been selected for India's Test squad?
Auqib Nabi is a right-arm pace bowler from Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir, selected in India's Test squad for the two-match series in Sri Lanka starting 15 August as a replacement for the injured Jasprit Bumrah. He claimed 104 wickets over two domestic seasons, including a 60-wicket Ranji Trophy campaign that helped J&K win their maiden title.
Is Auqib Nabi the first cricketer from Jammu & Kashmir to play Test cricket for India?
He is the first from Jammu & Kashmir to be named in an Indian Test squad. Two other players from the state — Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik — previously represented India, but only in white-ball formats.
Why is Jasprit Bumrah not playing in the Sri Lanka Test series?
Bumrah was ruled out with left knee discomfort, an injury he sustained during an ODI against England in Cardiff last month. Nabi has been named as his replacement in the squad.
What are India's World Test Championship qualification chances?
India currently sit fifth on the WTC points table, with their qualification for the final still uncertain. The Sri Lanka series is important for improving their standing, though the outcome depends on results across multiple teams.
Will Auqib Nabi definitely play in the Sri Lanka Tests?
Selection in the squad does not guarantee a playing XI spot. India have multiple seamers available, including Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar. With Sri Lanka's pitches favouring spin, India are expected to field two primary seamers, making Nabi's inclusion in the XI competitive but not certain.
