The Indian cricket team is scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series starting later this month. For this away assignment, the Board of Control for Cricket in India recently announced a revised 15-member squad. A key feature of this updated side is the inclusion of three uncapped players who have yet to make their debut in Test cricket. Given the pitch conditions and venue demands in Sri Lanka, all three players stand a strong chance of earning their maiden Test caps during the series.
Series Schedule and Squad Details
The Test series begins on August 15 with the first match taking place at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. The action will then move to Colombo for the second and final Test, scheduled from August 23 to August 27 at the historic Sinhalese Sports Club. To tackle the challenging conditions in the subcontinent, the selectors updated the 15-player lineup to incorporate fresh domestic performers into the red-ball setup.
Auqib Nabi Call-Up as Jasprit Bumrah Replacement
For 29-year-old fast bowler Auqib Nabi from Jammu and Kashmir, this call-up marks his maiden entry into the Indian Test squad. The opportunity arose after primary pacer Jasprit Bumrah could not fully recover from a knee injury. Consequently, on August 3, the BCCI officially named Auqib Nabi as Bumrah's replacement in the squad.
Auqib Nabi brings a solid First-Class track record to the international setup. Across 43 First-Class appearances, he has taken 162 wickets relying on sharp swing and bounce. Beyond his bowling capability, he provides valuable contributions in the lower order, having scored 999 runs in First-Class matches. His consistent outings for the Delhi Capitals franchise in the Indian Premier League further highlighted his talent to the national selectors.
Gurnoor Brar Track Record at Galle
Tall fast bowler Gurnoor Brar, born in Punjab, has also earned a spot in the Test squad for the Sri Lanka tour. Gurnoor Brar is not entirely new to international cricket, having made his One Day International debut for India against Afghanistan in June 2026. He has played 6 ODIs for the country so far.
In the red-ball format, Gurnoor has picked up 62 wickets in 19 First-Class matches. Crucially, he possesses recent experience playing in Sri Lanka. During the India 'A' tour of Sri Lanka in July 2026, Gurnoor produced a commanding performance in the second unofficial Test at Galle, taking a total of 10 wickets in that match. Since the venue for the first Test of the upcoming series is Galle, his recent success on that ground makes him a frontrunner for a place in the playing eleven.
Saransh Jain All-Round Expertise
Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain, aged 33, is the third uncapped cricketer included in the national squad. With Sri Lankan pitches traditionally favoring spin, Saransh Jain's off-spin bowling alongside his middle-order batting ability offers useful balance to the team balance.
A seasoned domestic performer, Saransh Jain has played 54 First-Class matches to date. During his career, he has taken 188 wickets with his off-spin and accumulated 2,223 runs with the bat. His sustained all-round productivity in domestic tournaments over the years has earned him his first call-up to the Indian Test squad.
