Jasprit Bumrah to Miss Sri Lanka Tests After Knee Injury

India will travel to Sri Lanka without their leading fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. The 32-year-old has not fully recovered from the knee injury he picked up during the second ODI against England last month and will therefore miss the two-Test series, which begins in Galle on August 15. The BCCI named uncapped pacer Auqib Nabi as his replacement on August 3.

Bumrah Suffers Recovery Setback

When the squad for the series was first announced, Bumrah’s selection depended on him passing a fitness test. With nearly four weeks before the opening Test, India were hopeful he would recover in time and were even willing to include him despite the possibility of missing the warm-up game.

However, he experienced fresh discomfort during rehabilitation, meaning his return will take longer than expected. Although Bumrah could still recover in time for the second Test, India are not expected to rush him back. Previous instances of bringing players back too early have led to long-term injury problems, something the team wants to avoid.

Bumrah was expected to resume bowling this weekend, but the setback during his recovery means he may need a couple more weeks before doing so. Despite playing 52 Tests, Bumrah’s career has been interrupted several times because of injuries. After recovering from a serious back injury, India have carefully managed his workload. Last year in England, he featured in only three of the five Tests, although he played all four home Tests against the West Indies and South Africa.

Auqib Nabi Earns Maiden Test Call-Up

Auqib Nabi, 29, from Jammu and Kashmir, has earned his maiden senior call-up after producing impressive performances in domestic cricket, taking 104 wickets across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons.

He claimed 60 wickets during the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season and played a key role in helping his state win its first title. Nabi also represented India A on the tour of Sri Lanka in June-July, where he picked up six wickets in two first-class matches. He has also become the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to earn a place in India’s senior Test squad.

India Face Crucial Test Series Without Bumrah

The first Test starts in Galle on August 15, while the second will be played in Colombo from August 23.

India’s hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final have also taken a hit with Bumrah unavailable for the Sri Lanka series. To stay in contention, India need to win at least three of their remaining four Tests across Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

With Bumrah unavailable, Mohammed Siraj will now lead India’s pace attack. Prasidh Krishna is expected to support him, but neither of the two has much experience of playing Test cricket in Sri Lanka.

India’s New Updated Squad for the Test Series Against Sri Lanka:

Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi

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