Rahane backs Auqib Nabi as India's second pacer for Galle Test

India will take on Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle International Stadium from August 15 to 19, 2026, with the squad facing a significant challenge following Jasprit Bumrah's absence. Bumrah has been ruled out because of a left knee injury sustained during the ODI series against England, forcing the team management to reshape the fast bowling unit for the tour.

Auqib Nabi, a 29-year-old fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir, has been drafted into the squad as Bumrah's replacement and will make his maiden Test appearance. Nabi has been a standout performer in Indian domestic cricket and recently featured in two unofficial Tests for India A during the tour of Sri Lanka, where he took six wickets across those matches.

Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has offered his perspective on the pacer selection dilemma, weighing the merits of Nabi and Prasidh Krishna for the opening Test.

"One of the two pacers in the playing 11 is guaranteed to be Siraj. The second fast bowler should be Auqib Nabi if the conditions are pacer-friendly. If the wicket appears to be on the drier side, Prasidh Krishna, with his pace, can be more useful as the second pacer. Once the pitch flattens, he can be valuable to try the short ball theory or the around-the-wicket strategy," Rahane said while speaking on his YouTube channel.

Siraj's increased responsibility without Bumrah

Without Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj will shoulder the primary responsibility for India's pace attack in Sri Lanka. Rahane emphasised that reading the conditions at Galle will be crucial for the team management, as Sri Lankan pitches rarely offer the green, seam-friendly surfaces seen in other Test nations. The former captain outlined his preferred balance for the squad composition.

"Without Bumrah, Siraj will have the most responsibility on his shoulders. Conditions in Sri Lanka can be tricky to read. That'll be the most important thing to do for the team management. But still, a green wicket will be rare in Sri Lanka. With that in mind, three spinners and two pacers will be ideal," Rahane continued.

Prasidh Krishna as the alternative option

Prasidh Krishna, aged 30, brings pace and experience to the squad. Krishna made his Test debut on December 26, 2023, against South Africa and last played a Test on July 31, 2025, against England. His ability to generate pace makes him a viable option if the Galle pitch offers less assistance to seam bowling and requires short-pitched bowling strategies.

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The squad also includes Gurnoor Brar alongside Siraj, Prasidh and Nabi in the fast bowling contingent. Meanwhile, batter Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out after failing to recover from a right-toe stress reaction, with Sarfaraz Khan named as his replacement. The second Test will be held from August 23 to 27, 2026, at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.