On Monday, August 3, 2026, Auqib Nabi was called up to the India Test team for the first time in order to replace the injured Jasprit Bumrah prior to the two-match Test trip to Sri Lanka. The first person from the Kashmir valley to be selected for the Indian Test team was the 29-year-old seamer from Jammu and Kashmir. Nabi is the third player from Jammu and Kashmir to be called up to the senior national team, following Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik.
Auqib Nabi was selected after Bumrah was unable to recuperate from a left knee injury he suffered in Cardiff during the second ODI against England in July. This ailment has made Bumrah’s issues worse since the T20 World Cup. While Auqib Nabi was at the airport about to travel to Bangalore for a Center of Excellence program, he received the startling news of his Test selection. His late inclusion as a replacement was particularly notable because the call was unexpected given that the India squad for the Sri Lanka tour had already been announced.
“I was in the airport. We were required to attend a camp at CoE. I was going to take a plane to Bangalore. I received a call enquiring about my whereabouts. In a video published by BCCI, Auqib Nabi stated, “I told him that I was going to Bangalore; I was at the airport. He told me that you don’t have to go there, you have to come to Sri Lanka.” You’ve been chosen. I was initially shocked by it. The squad had already been announced, so it was surprising. He continued, “I was like, I will work hard in the camp at CoE.”
Thanks to domestic efforts, Auqib Nabi has an opportunity.
Nabi was chosen based on strong domestic performance over the preceding two seasons. He took 104 wickets during the previous two Ranji Trophy seasons, including 60 during the 2025–2026 season, which helped Jammu & Kashmir win their maiden Ranji Trophy. “Yes, I had expectations,” he added after taking six wickets in two first-class matches while touring Sri Lanka with the India A squad. However, as a cricket player, you must believe that your role is to perform.
I did believe that eventually I would receive a call-up. “I used to bow with the same mindset; my job is to take wickets and perform, and leave the rest to the Almighty,” Nabi remarked. “If you have been doing well for years, you have to get the fruits of your hard work.” My family and I are thrilled that my name has been called. Nothing could be more significant to me than this. It had a wonderful mood. It was a big deal for me to share the nets and the dressing room with the individuals we watch on TV,” he continued.
