NEW DELHI — India has been dealt a major blow ahead of its upcoming World Test Championship tour, with premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah officially ruled out of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

According to an official statement, Bumrah has failed to fully recover from a left knee injury sustained during India’s recent ODI series in England. The injury previously forced the 32-year-old seamer to sit out of the series-deciding final ODI. Medical experts and the Sports Science team at Bengaluru’s Centre of Excellence advised against rushing the pace spearhead back into the grueling demands of international red-ball cricket.

Maiden Call-Up for Auqib Nabi

To fill the vacancy left by Bumrah, the Men’s Selection Committee has handed uncapped Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi his maiden senior national team call-up.

Nabi earned his selection following stellar domestic performances, highlighted by 104 wickets across the past two Ranji Trophy seasons—including 60 scalps during the 2025–26 campaign to spearhead Jammu and Kashmir’s historic title victory. He also recently picked up six wickets in two first-class matches while touring Sri Lanka with the India A squad.

Series Context

The two-match Test series is a crucial fixture in the ICC World Test Championship cycle and is set to commence on August 15, 2026, in Galle.