Gautam Gambhir Sends 1st Direct Message To Auqib Nabi After India Selection

Auqib Nabi and Gautam Gambhir | (Source: AFP)

Team India is set to conquer Sri Lanka, where they haven't lost a Test series in the last 18 years. Moreover, the visitors haven't lost against the Islanders in their last 10 outings in the longest format. However, under Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill, a new-looking Indian unit is touring Lanka.

No player in the current Test squad, apart from KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, has previously toured the Island nation for Tests. Adding more misery, Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the IND vs SL Tests after being picked subject to his fitness. 

J&K star seamer Auqib Nabi has replaced Bumrah in the Indian squad, after previously missing selection in the one-off Test against Afghanistan.

Gautam Gambhir appreciates Auqib Nabi

Head coach Gautam Gambhir has gone out of his way to congratulate the J&K seamer Auqib Nabi on his maiden India call-up. Moreover, he appreciated the 29-year-old for his spectacular Ranji Trophy 2025/26 season.

“I want to congratulate Auqib. You had a phenomenal last season and made J&K win Ranji Trophy, which is a great achievement. Congratulations once again. You are getting your first opportunity with us,” Gautam Gambhir said while praising Auqib Nabi on BCCI.tv. 

Nabi ended the last Ranji Trophy season with 60 wickets in 17 innings, including five-wicket hauls in the semifinal and final of the tournament. Not just that, the speedster bagged the Player of the Series award as Jammu & Kashmir lifted their maiden Ranji Trophy. 

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Will Auqib Nabi make his Test debut in IND vs SL?

At 29, Auqib Nabi is at the peak of his powers. With 162 First-Class wickets under his belt, he recently toured Sri Lanka with the India-A team, although he was overshadowed by Gurnoor Brar then.

Currently, Team India has four fast-bowling options, including the J&K Express. However, the visitors will likely field just two of them, with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna being the front-runners. 

That said, Nabi might be fourth on the pecking order in Sri Lanka; his fortunes could change when India tour New Zealand later this year, as the conditions Down Under will be ideal for a bowler like him. 

Can Gautam Gambhir redefine his coaching legacy in Sri Lanka?

The Indian Test team, under Gautam Gambhir’s coaching, has been a mere shadow of themselves. Although the team is transitioning and was able to draw in England, it has been whitewashed at home twice in the last two years.

Since Gambhir’s appointment, Team India have won eight Test matches and lost 10 after featuring in 20 games. However, the IND vs SL Test series could redefine the head coach’s legacy, as India’s performances in the Island nation have been outstanding in recent years.

Thus, if India, under Gambhir and Shubman Gill’s leadership, could win the series, it would give them a world of confidence going forward. 

Nevertheless, the visitors will first play a three-day warm-up fixture at Colombo on August 7, before the two Test matches at Galle and SSC, Colombo. 

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