Jasprit Bumrah’s injury has created an unexpected opportunity for 29-year-old Jammu and Kashmir seamer Aqib Nabi, who has received his maiden call-up to India’s Test squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka. For the right-arm fast bowler, the selection represents one of the biggest milestones of his career. It could also mark a significant moment for cricket in Jammu and Kashmir.
Nabi is only the third cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to receive a call-up to India’s senior national side, following Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik. Neither, however, went on to represent India in Test cricket. If Nabi is selected in the playing XI against Sri Lanka, he would become the first cricketer from Kashmir to play a Test for India, adding a historic dimension to what is already a major personal achievement.
His rise has been built steadily through performances in domestic cricket rather than an overnight breakthrough. Hailing from a village in Baramulla district, Nabi has established himself as a dependable fast bowler in the longer format. His ability to maintain discipline over extended spells, bowl consistently in challenging conditions and produce wickets at crucial moments has gradually brought him into the selectors’ reckoning.
His most impressive campaign came in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season, when he finished as the competition’s leading wicket-taker with 60 victims. His contribution was central to Jammu and Kashmir’s historic Ranji Trophy triumph, the first title in the team’s history. As one of the leading figures in their pace attack, Nabi played a significant role in a season that transformed both his personal standing and the team’s place in domestic cricket.
Across the past two Ranji Trophy seasons, he has taken more than 100 wickets. His overall first-class record is equally striking: 162 wickets in 43 matches at an average of 18.63. Such figures underline the consistency required from a bowler operating in the demanding four-day and first-class game, where patience, control and the ability to sustain pressure are often as valuable as raw pace.
| Category | Aqib Nabi’s Record |
|---|---|
| Age | 29 |
| Bowling style | Right-arm fast |
| Hometown | Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir |
| India Test squad selection | First call-up |
| Jammu and Kashmir player called up to India’s senior side | Third |
| First-class matches | 43 |
| First-class wickets | 162 |
| First-class bowling average | 18.63 |
| Ranji Trophy wickets, 2025–26 | 60 |
| Ranji Trophy wickets across the past two seasons | More than 100 |
| Four-day matches for India A in Sri Lanka | 2 |
| Wickets for India A in Sri Lanka | 6 |
| IPL 2026 franchise | Delhi Capitals |
Nabi also has some experience of playing in Sri Lankan conditions. During India A’s tour of the island, he featured in two four-day matches and claimed six wickets. That exposure could prove useful if he is handed a Test debut, as adapting to local conditions, pitch behaviour and the demands of playing away from home can be a significant challenge for an inexperienced international cricketer.
His development has also included exposure to the Indian Premier League. Nabi was part of the Delhi Capitals squad for the 2026 season, giving him an opportunity to operate in a high-profile environment alongside established international players. Although the demands of Test cricket differ sharply from those of Twenty20 cricket, the experience of competing under pressure on a major stage can help a player develop confidence and composure.
The immediate reason for Nabi’s inclusion, however, is the absence of Bumrah. India’s premier fast bowler has been ruled out of the Sri Lanka series after failing to fully recover from a knee injury sustained during the one-day international series against England. His rehabilitation and recovery have been closely monitored by medical staff at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, with the team management keen to avoid rushing him back given India’s demanding schedule ahead.
India have also had to contend with the unavailability of Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana and Washington Sundar, at least for the opening Test. The combination of injuries and absences has forced the selectors to explore additional options, creating an opening for a domestic performer who has consistently delivered in first-class cricket.
Yet a place in the squad does not automatically guarantee a place in the playing XI. Nabi’s next task will be to impress the coaching staff and senior players during training and preparation for the series. Should he receive his opportunity, his ability to maintain control with the new ball, bowl long spells without losing accuracy and build pressure patiently will be tested at the highest level.
For Nabi, the journey from Baramulla to the threshold of India’s Test team is already a remarkable story. His selection reflects the rewards of sustained domestic excellence and gives him the chance to become a landmark figure in Jammu and Kashmir cricket.
The final step, however, remains. If Nabi walks out in India’s Test colours against Sri Lanka, he will not merely begin an international career. He will potentially become the first cricketer from Kashmir to play Test cricket for India, turning a personal breakthrough into a historic moment for the region.