Auqib Nabi: J&K's first Test cricketer earns India call-up vs Sri Lanka
Synopsis
A cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir has broken into India's Test squad for the first time ever. Auqib Nabi's 60-wicket Ranji Trophy season — which also delivered J&K their maiden Ranji title — earned him a call-up to replace the injured Jasprit Bumrah for the Sri Lanka Tests starting 15 August 2026. It is a generational moment for a state that has waited decades for a Test representative.
Key Takeaways
Auqib Nabi is the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to be selected for India's Test team.
He replaces the injured Jasprit Bumrah for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka beginning 15 August 2026 .
Nabi claimed 60 wickets in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season and was instrumental in J&K winning their maiden Ranji Trophy title .
He also took six wickets in two first-class matches on the recent India A tour of Sri Lanka.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the selection 'a matter of immense pride' for the region.
Earlier J&K players Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik represented India only in limited-overs formats.
Auqib Nabi has become the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to be selected for India's Test team, earning a maiden call-up to the squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka beginning 15 August 2026. The J&K pacer replaces the injured Jasprit Bumrah, marking a historic moment for cricket in the region.
A Historic Milestone for J&K Cricket
Nabi's selection is a landmark for Jammu and Kashmir, a state that has produced India internationals before — notably Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik in limited-overs cricket — but never a Test representative. His call-up closes that gap and places him in a category of his own in J&K cricketing history.
The achievement comes on the back of an exceptional domestic campaign. Nabi claimed a remarkable 60 wickets in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season, playing a central role in guiding Jammu and Kashmir to their maiden Ranji Trophy title. That haul made him one of the standout performers of the domestic season and placed him firmly on the national selectors' radar.
What the Chief Minister Said
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday extended his congratulations to Nabi, calling the selection a source of immense pride for the region. 'The Chief Minister has extended his heartiest congratulations to cricketer Auqib Nabi on earning a place in the Indian squad for the forthcoming Test series against Sri Lanka,' the Office of the Chief Minister said in a statement. Abdullah described the selection as 'a matter of immense pride for Jammu and Kashmir and an inspiration for countless young sportspersons across the region,' and expressed hope that Nabi 'would make the most of this opportunity and bring laurels to the country.'
India A Experience Adds Confidence
Nabi is not walking into international cricket cold. He was part of the India A squad that recently toured Sri Lanka, where he claimed six wickets in two first-class matches — giving him direct exposure to conditions he will encounter in the Test series. That outing is likely to have reinforced the selectors' confidence in his readiness for the step up.
What's Next
The two-match Test series against Sri Lanka gets underway on 15 August 2026. With Bumrah ruled out through injury, Nabi is expected to shoulder a meaningful share of the bowling workload. How he performs on debut could shape his place in India's Test plans for the cycle ahead, and for J&K cricket, the eyes of an entire region will be watching.
Point of View
But the deeper story is structural: J&K cricket has quietly built a pipeline — Rasool, Malik, and now a Ranji-winning team — and Nabi is the first to convert that momentum into a Test berth. The selectors' hand was forced by Bumrah's injury, but 60 Ranji wickets in a single season is not a replacement pick, it is an earned one. The real question is whether India's Test setup gives him a genuine run or treats him as a stop-gap. For a region where cricket carries outsized social weight, that distinction matters well beyond the scorecard.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Auqib Nabi and why is his India Test call-up historic?
Auqib Nabi is a pace bowler from Jammu and Kashmir who has become the first cricketer from the state to be selected for India's Test team. While J&K players Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik previously represented India in limited-overs cricket, no J&K cricketer had ever been picked for a Test squad before Nabi.
Why was Auqib Nabi selected for the India Test squad?
Nabi was called up as a replacement for the injured Jasprit Bumrah for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka starting 15 August 2026. His selection followed an outstanding 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season in which he claimed 60 wickets and helped Jammu and Kashmir win their maiden Ranji Trophy title.
When does India's Test series against Sri Lanka begin?
The two-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka begins on 15 August 2026.
What did J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah say about Auqib Nabi's selection?
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated Nabi and described the selection as 'a matter of immense pride for Jammu and Kashmir and an inspiration for countless young sportspersons across the region.' He expressed hope that Nabi would make the most of the opportunity and bring laurels to the country.
Has Auqib Nabi played for India before?
Nabi has not previously represented India at senior level, making this a maiden international call-up. He was, however, part of the India A squad that recently toured Sri Lanka, where he took six wickets across two first-class matches.
