India will have to manage Jasprit Bumrah well for World Cup 2027 and Tests: Chaminda Vaas

Indian ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah will miss the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka as he continues to manage a left knee injury sustained during the ODI series against England. The 31-year-old fast bowler has been dealing with the injury since the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 and only recently returned to ODI cricket after an absence of nearly two years. He featured in two ODI matches against England before experiencing knee discomfort, which ruled him out of the final game.

Chaminda Vaas, the former Sri Lankan pacer, has commented on Bumrah's unavailability. Vaas, in an exclusive interview with RevSportz, shared his perspective on Bumrah's situation as India prepares for the two-match Test series scheduled to begin on August 15 in Galle.

"There is no doubt that he (Bumrah) is the best in the world at the moment. He has been playing a lot of cricket. He has played T20s, 50-over cricket and the IPL. He has a unique action. The way he plays and bowls a lot of overs can tend to lead to injuries. But I think India will have a plan for the next 50-over World Cup. He will be a different bowler when it comes to Test cricket compared to One-Day cricket. But being a fast bowler, you need to have a proper recovery process and get back into the game gradually. There is no doubt that he is the best in the world at the moment when it comes to Test cricket," Vaas told RevSportz.

Auqib Nabi selected as Jasprit Bumrah's replacement

The Men's Selection Committee named Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi as Bumrah's replacement for the series. Nabi, 26, receives his debut call-up to the Indian national side following an impressive domestic record.

The fast bowler took 104 wickets across the past two Ranji Trophy seasons, including 60 wickets in the title-winning 2025-26 season for Jammu and Kashmir, earning recognition at the national level. The two-match series will test India's depth in the pace department, with Nabi's inclusion marking an opportunity for the young bowler to establish himself at the international level.