Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of Sri Lanka series

MUMBAI: India have suffered a major setback ahead of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah set to miss the tour because of a knee injury.Bumrah, who was picked in the squad subject to fitness, underwent an assessment at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on July 30. However, the Board's medical team has decided against rushing him back into Test cricket before he makes a full recovery."Bumrah has been ruled out of the Sri Lanka series. His fitness level is currently around 95 per cent, but he is yet to be tested for the demands of the longer format," a BCCI source told TOI.Bumrah sustained an impact injury to his left knee while fielding during the second ODI against England in Cardiff, forcing him to miss the series finale at Lord's. The medical staff have advised against risking a premature return.The India squad will assemble in Mumbai on Aug 3 before departing for Sri Lanka the following day. The tour begins with a four-day warm-up match from Aug 7.With the Asian Games in Sept-Oct, a tour of New Zealand later in the year and a five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home early next year, the BCCI is keen to manage Bumrah's workload carefully rather than risk a recurrence.The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is expected to announce a replacement shortly. Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi is the frontrunner after finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy with 60 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 12.56.The 29-year-old also trained with the senior squad before the one-off Test against Afghanistan and claimed six wickets in two matches during India A's recent tour of Sri Lanka.

India's pace attack for the series currently comprises Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and uncapped Gurnoor Brar.