Jasprit Bumrah is set to miss India’s two-Test tour of Sri Lanka after failing to recover in time from a knee injury, according to a BCCI source quoted by PTI. Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi is expected to be drafted into the squad as his replacement.
The series starts on August 15 in Galle. Bumrah’s absence leaves India without its premier fast bowler for both Tests, with the medical team choosing caution before a busy period of international cricket.
Bumrah not cleared by Centre of Excellence
The source said Bumrah is not fit and that Nabi has been approved as his replacement. The swelling in Bumrah’s knee is understood to be more serious than first thought. The Sports Science team at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru has decided not to rush him back.
Bumrah had missed the third ODI against England at Lord’s last month after suffering an impact injury. There had initially been hope that he might be available for at least one Test against Sri Lanka, but that possibility has now been ruled out.
According to the source, the two officials running the Centre of Excellence, Dhananjay and Thulasi, decided that Bumrah could not be risked at this stage. The call appears to have been made with the larger cricket calendar in mind, rather than only the Sri Lanka series.
Auqib Nabi set for maiden senior call-up
Nabi’s expected selection would be a notable step for the Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler. He is set to become the third player from the region after Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik to receive a senior national call-up. Rasool and Malik were earlier called up in India’s white-ball setup.
Nabi has taken more than 100 wickets across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons. His red-ball performances were central to Jammu and Kashmir’s progress in domestic cricket, and he also offers some lower-order batting value.
His inclusion would add a domestic form player to India’s pace group for a short but demanding Test assignment in Sri Lanka. The source did not provide details on whether Nabi would be considered directly for the playing eleven or travel primarily as a squad replacement.
India forced to adjust pace plans
Bumrah’s injury management has become the immediate concern before the opening Test. For India, the decision removes any uncertainty over his availability and allows the selectors and team management to plan the pace attack without waiting on a late fitness call.
The two-Test series begins in Galle on August 15. With Bumrah unavailable and Nabi likely to enter the squad, India’s bowling combination will be shaped by fitness, conditions and the balance the team wants in Sri Lanka.
Source: The Hindu Cricket.