New Delhi, June 3: Jammu & Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi could earn a place in the Indian squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan if senior pacer Mohammed Siraj is rested due to workload management concerns, according to a report in The Times of India.
The Indian team management is currently assessing Siraj’s workload following a demanding IPL 2026 season with Gujarat Titans, where he featured in every match, including the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 31. A final decision on his availability for the Afghanistan Test is expected within the next 48 hours.
Siraj has already travelled to Chandigarh for the match. However, if the management decides to rest him, Nabi is likely to be drafted into the squad as his replacement.
The development comes at a time when India have already rested premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, prompting selectors and team management to tread cautiously with the pace attack.
According to the report, uncapped Punjab pacer Gurnoor Brar is likely to make his international debut if Siraj is rested, while Nabi would join the squad as cover.
“Siraj has had a long season and if he is rested, there is a bright possibility Gurnoor will play and Nabi will come into the squad,” a source tracking the developments told TOI.
Nabi is currently serving as a net bowler with the Indian team ahead of the Afghanistan Test. The right-arm seamer enjoyed a stellar domestic season, emerging as the highest wicket-taker in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy with 60 wickets and playing a pivotal role in Jammu & Kashmir’s maiden Ranji Trophy title triumph.
Alongside Nabi, pacers Prince Yadav and Gurjapneet Singh, and spinners Saransh Jain, Zeeshan Ansari and Shivang Kumar are assisting the Indian team during training sessions.
Following the one-off Test, India and Afghanistan are scheduled to play a three-match ODI series in Dharamsala, Lucknow and Chennai.
