Gurnoor Brar Roadblocks Auqib Nabi's Entry Into India Test Squad For Sri Lanka Series

Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi [Source: AFP]

Gurnoor Brar steamrolled Sri Lanka A twice in Galle as India A secured a comprehensive 10-wicket win. After missing the drawn opening match at the same venue last week, Brar picked up 10 wickets across both innings of the second unofficial Test of the tour.

The fast bowler started off the match by picking up a fighting four-wicket haul in the first Sri Lanka A innings, before claiming a match-winning six-fer to skittle the hosts for just 209 on the final day. 

Brar’s latest heroics, coupled with his impressive ODI debut against Afghanistan last month, indicate that the speedster is being fast-tracked into the Indian Test setup. Moreover, the 26-year-old might even blaze past fellow serious contender Auqib Nabi, who is yet to make his India debut in any format despite enjoying a prolific 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season earlier this year.

Gurnoor Brar vs Auqib Nabi: The ultimate puzzle for BCCI

Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi was widely tipped to make his international debut at some stage this year, especially after the speedster drove his home region to a historic 2025-26 Ranji Trophy title victory. 

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The cricketer even played a handful of IPL 2026 matches for the Delhi Capitals franchise, albeit with no success.

Soon after the season, the BCCI named Gurnoor Brar in Team India squad for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, thus drawing much flak from fans and even certain politicians for ignoring the promising Jammu and Kashmir paceman. 

Brar, on the other hand, silently made a name for himself in India’s dominant 3-0 series win at home. The 26-year-old fast bowler started off his international career with successive three-wicket hauls against Afghanistan in Dharamshala and Lucknow, and concluded the series with seven wickets at an impressive average of 19.42.

The Punjab cricketer even outperformed new ball pace partner Auqib Nabi in the series-deciding second unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A in Galle. 

Brar’s rapid rise has only complicated the selection equation, leaving the BCCI with a tough call between two of India's most promising fast-bowling prospects.

Gurnoor Brar vs Auqib Nabi stats comparison in Sri Lanka A series

Both Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi were selected in India A squad for the two-match unofficial ‘A’ Test tour of Sri Lanka in June. 

Nabi demonstrated his red-ball dexterity by cleaning up the Sri Lanka A tail in Galle last week. However, the Jammu and Kashmir speedster was largely overshadowed by young gun Gurnoor Brar in the second match of the tour. Here is a look at a detailed statistical comparison of the two fast bowlers from the two-match unofficial Test series in Sri Lanka.

Nabi vs Brar in Sri Lanka A Test series

With selectors expected to reward recent form, Brar’s dominant numbers could prove difficult to overlook.

Why BCCI might incline towards Gurnoor Brar over Nabi

The BCCI is expected to select Team India squad for India’s upcoming two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka soon. With just one specialist pace slot likely up for grabs, both Brar and Nabi appear to be the leading contenders for the vacancy.

However, Brar’s recent success in both international cricket and the India A setup could give him a decisive edge over Nabi.

Apart from recent form, Gurnoor generates more pace than Nabi, hits the deck hard and can trouble opposition line-ups even on the most placid batting surfaces. Auqib Nabi, on the other hand, bowls gentle medium pace and he tends to rely on assistance from the pitch. 

Moreover, the Punjab speedster also has age on his side (26) over his Jammu and Kashmir pace rival (29 and closing in on 30).

When Auqib Nabi scripted history for J&K

That being said, the BCCI might also analyse Ranji Trophy records of the two cricketers while shaping India’s national squad for the upcoming Test tour of Sri Lanka. 

Earlier this year, Nabi scripted history for the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team. The fast bowler picked up 60 wickets in the tournament, the most among all bowlers, at an exceptional bowling average of just 12.56. Even with the bat, the 29-year-old aggregated 245 runs for his team. 

The speedster even snared a fiery five-wicket haul in the final against Karnataka in Hubballi as the J&K team lifted its first-ever Ranji Trophy title in history. 

Gurnoor Brar, on the other hand, played just two matches in the competition for the Punjab team, and scalped only four wickets at an expensive bowling average of 47.50.

Both fast bowlers have built compelling cases through contrasting routes, leaving the selectors with a difficult decision ahead of the Sri Lanka Test series in August. 

However, if recent performances and momentum carry greater weight than domestic numbers alone, Gurnoor Brar may well emerge as the frontrunner for the coveted pace spot.

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