Aqib Nabi Earns India Test Call-Up After Bumrah Injury

Aqib Nabi has received his maiden call-up to India’s Test squad ahead of the two-match series against Sri Lanka, replacing the injured Jasprit Bumrah. The selection marks a significant moment for cricket in Jammu and Kashmir, with Nabi becoming only the third player from the region to be called up to India’s senior men’s team after Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik.

The 29-year-old right-arm pace bowler comes from a village in Baramulla district in Kashmir and now stands on the threshold of making history. Should he take the field in the Test series, Nabi would become the first cricketer from Kashmir to play Test cricket for India.

His selection follows an outstanding run of form in domestic cricket. Nabi has claimed more than 100 wickets across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, establishing himself as one of the most effective fast bowlers in India’s domestic circuit. During the 2025–26 season, he finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 60 dismissals, playing a key role in Jammu and Kashmir’s historic triumph as they won the Ranji Trophy for the first time.

Nabi’s overall first-class record also underlines the consistency behind his selection. In 43 matches, he has taken 162 wickets at an impressive average of 18.63. Those numbers, combined with his recent performances, have strengthened his case for an opportunity at the highest level.

His experience in Sri Lankan conditions could also prove valuable. Nabi was part of the India A squad during the tour of Sri Lanka and featured in two four-day matches, taking six wickets. The exposure to similar pitches and conditions ahead of the Test series could help him adapt more quickly if he is handed his international debut.

Nabi also has experience of the Indian Premier League, having represented Delhi Capitals during the 2026 season. Although his IPL involvement has been limited compared with some established international players, the tournament has given him exposure to high-pressure professional cricket and a dressing room environment involving leading players.

Bumrah’s absence has opened the door for Nabi after the premier fast bowler failed to recover fully from a knee injury sustained during the one-day series against England. The medical team at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru reportedly considered a rushed return too risky, particularly in view of India’s demanding schedule ahead.

The timing of Nabi’s call-up is also significant because India’s bowling resources have been stretched by the unavailability of Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana and Washington Sundar, at least for the opening Test. That situation has created an opportunity for a bowler who has spent years building his reputation away from the international spotlight.

For Nabi, the upcoming series could therefore represent far more than a first appearance in an India squad. A strong performance, if selected, could put him firmly into the national selectors’ plans for future assignments. More immediately, however, he has the chance to become a historic figure in Kashmir cricket by becoming the first player from the region to represent India in Test cricket.

His journey from domestic cricket in Jammu and Kashmir to the national Test squad is a testament to the growing depth of India’s pace-bowling pool. Now, the challenge is to convert a long-awaited opportunity into an international breakthrough.