Last Updated on 45 minutes ago by Charbel Coorey
India has suffered a major setback ahead of the two match Test series in Sri Lanka. Jasprit Bumrah is set to miss the tour due to fitness concerns. The world number one Test bowler was named in India’s 15-man squad earlier this week but his selection was subject to his recovery from injury.
Bumrah is reportedly still feeling pain in his left knee after a check-up at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, as per a report in the Times of India. The medical team and team management have decided not to rush him back into action after checking his condition. The focus remains on the senior pace bowler making a full recovery before returning to competitive cricket.
“The BCCI doesn’t want to make the same mistake as last time when they rushed players back and they picked up fresh injuries,” a BCCI source told The Times of India.
The board is understood to be managing Bumrah’s workload carefully, given that a number of big tournaments are still to come this year, including the Asian Games, the tour of New Zealand, and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy early next year.
Auqib Nabi Dar likely to replace Jasprit Bumrah for Sri Lanka tour
The senior men’s selection committee of the BCCI is likely to name Bumrah’s replacement in the coming days. Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi Dar has emerged as the front-runner to replace him in the squad.
Auqib has yet to make his international debut but he was highly praised for his performances in domestic cricket last season. The Baramulla speedster was the leading wicket-taker in the 2025 and 2026 Ranji Trophy season and played a key role in Jammu and Kashmir winning their maiden Ranji Trophy title.
Initially, India had gone with four fast bowlers for the Sri Lanka Tests. Bumrah was part of a squad that also included Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar. With Bumrah unavailable, Prasidh is expected to share the new ball with Siraj and the selectors are expected to add another pace option before the team departs for Sri Lanka.
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