Bumrah likely to miss Sri Lanka Tests with left knee discomfort
Synopsis
Jasprit Bumrah has not bowled a single ball at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru this week, and sources say his left knee needs more time — making him likely to miss both Tests in Sri Lanka. Auqib Nabi, the Ranji Trophy star who took 60 wickets for J&K this season, is the front-runner to replace him.
Key Takeaways
Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss India's two-match Test series against Sri Lanka , starting 15 August in Galle , due to left knee discomfort.
Bumrah had already missed the ODI series decider at Lord's on 19 July after suffering an impact injury and reactive swelling to the same knee.
He has not bowled at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru this week; the medical team wants more recovery time.
Auqib Nabi of Jammu & Kashmir , who claimed 60 wickets in the Ranji Trophy this year, is the front-runner to replace him.
India's remaining pace options for the series are Mohammed Siraj , Prasidh Krishna , and Gurnoor Brar .
The Indian squad is expected to depart for Sri Lanka on 4 August , with a practice match in Colombo from 7-9 August .
Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss India's upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, beginning 15 August in Galle, after the BCCI medical team determined he needs more recovery time for a left knee injury. The development deals a significant blow to India's pace attack ahead of a crucial away series.
What the Injury Involves
Bumrah had already missed India's ODI series decider against England at Lord's on 19 July, having suffered an impact injury to his left knee. The problem was compounded when he picked up reactive swelling while fielding during the second ODI in Cardiff.
According to a source, Bumrah had not bowled a single delivery during his time at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru this week. 'The day certain reports said Bumrah passed his fitness test for the Sri Lanka tour, the reality was that he hadn't started bowling yet at that time,' the source said. 'His total recovery is a priority and it means he's likely to miss out on the trip to Sri Lanka.'
Replacement Front-Runner
Bumrah was initially named in the Shubman Gill-led Test squad, subject to a fitness clearance. With that clearance now unlikely, the Ajit Agarkar-headed senior selection committee is expected to name a replacement. Auqib Nabi, a seam-bowling all-rounder from Jammu & Kashmir, has emerged as the front-runner.
Nabi was a key figure in Jammu & Kashmir's Ranji Trophy triumph earlier this year, claiming 60 wickets in the campaign. He also picked up six wickets in two matches on the India A tour of Sri Lanka in June-July and had previously trained with the senior national side ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh in June.
India's Pace Resources in Sri Lanka
Without Bumrah, India's fast-bowling department for the series will feature Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar. The squad is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka on 4 August.
The touring party will play a three-day practice match at NCC in Colombo from 7-9 August before travelling to Galle. The first Test at Galle International Stadium runs from 15 August, with the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club scheduled for 23-27 August.
What This Means for India
Bumrah has been India's most potent Test bowler in recent years, and his absence removes the team's primary wicket-taking threat. This is not his first injury-related absence — he missed a significant stretch of international cricket in 2023 with a back stress fracture. The recurrence of fitness concerns, now involving his knee, will raise questions about workload management heading into a packed international calendar. How the selectors and medical staff handle his rehabilitation will be closely watched.
Point of View
Now a knee problem in 2025 — point to a workload management challenge the BCCI has yet to fully resolve. His absence from even the bowling nets in Bengaluru, while reports prematurely declared him fit, suggests a communication gap between the medical staff and public messaging. For India, the deeper risk is not this series alone but the cumulative toll on their most match-winning bowler ahead of a packed home season. Auqib Nabi is a credible short-term option, but his selection would expose how thin India's ready-to-fire pace reserves actually are beyond the top tier.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Jasprit Bumrah likely to miss the Sri Lanka Test series?
Bumrah is likely to miss the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka due to discomfort in his left knee, which requires more recovery time according to the BCCI medical team. He had suffered an impact injury to the knee during India's ODI series against England and has not yet resumed bowling.
Who is the front-runner to replace Bumrah in the Sri Lanka Test squad?
Auqib Nabi, a seam-bowling all-rounder from Jammu & Kashmir, is the front-runner to replace Bumrah. Nabi claimed 60 wickets in J&K's Ranji Trophy-winning campaign and took six wickets in two matches on the India A tour of Sri Lanka in June-July 2025.
When and where are the India vs Sri Lanka Tests scheduled?
The first Test is scheduled at the Galle International Stadium from 15 August, and the second Test will be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club from 23-27 August. India are also set to play a three-day practice match in Colombo from 7-9 August.
What is Bumrah's injury history?
Bumrah missed a significant stretch of international cricket in 2023 with a back stress fracture. His current issue is a left knee problem — he first picked up an impact injury and then reactive swelling while fielding during India's ODI series against England in July 2025.
Who are India's other pace bowlers for the Sri Lanka series?
With Bumrah unavailable, India's pace attack is expected to comprise Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar, along with the likely addition of Auqib Nabi as a replacement.
