Bumrah's injury exposes rigidity in Agarkar-Gambhir's plans: Mohammed Shami stays ignored despite brilliant season

Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the two-Test series in Sri Lanka due to a left knee injury, with Auqib Nabi named as his replacement.

Nabi earned his maiden India call-up after taking 60 wickets at 12.56 in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy and 104 wickets across the last two seasons.

Mohammed Shami was ignored despite taking 38 first-class wickets in the Ranji and Duleep Trophies, including career-best figures of 8 for 90.

Shami took 68 wickets across 21 domestic matches in 2025-26, spanning Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and Vijay Hazare Trophy.

The selection of Nabi over Shami highlights the selectors' preference for younger fast bowlers despite Shami's proven Test experience.