This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing BBC News.

29-year-old all-rounder Auqib Nabi has replaced Jasprit Bumrah in the squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka starting 15 August. He is the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to earn an India Test call-up.

Auqib grew up in a small village in Baramulla district. His father, Ghulam Nabi Dar, a schoolteacher, initially wanted him to focus on academics and become a doctor. But Auqib's persistence changed his father's mind.

"There was no scope in cricket. We used to think playing sport was a waste of time, so I insisted that Auqib focused on his studies," Ghulam says. "After seeing his passion for cricket, I accepted it. I realised that, as a parent and a teacher, I shouldn't force him to do something he didn't want to do."

Childhood friend Junaid Dar recalls growing up in an environment where professional cricket barely seemed possible. Auqib regularly travelled around 70km to Srinagar to practise on proper pitches. He did not even own spike shoes when he attended his first trials.

Cousin Bilal Ahmad Dar highlights his work ethic: "He would wake up early to go to the gym and then practise for the rest of the day. He did that almost every day for 10 years."

In 2020, Auqib made his Ranji Trophy debut, taking a five-wicket haul against Jharkhand. In the 2024-25 season, he claimed 44 wickets, finishing as the leading fast bowler, but remained largely outside the national conversation. His father says: "When you do well but don't get recognition, it hurts. But we should never lose hope. Hope is what keeps the world intact."

The following season, Auqib took 60 wickets in 10 matches, becoming the tournament's leading wicket-taker and helping Jammu and Kashmir win their maiden Ranji Trophy title after 67 years. These performances earned him an 84m rupees (£730,000; $982,000) IPL contract with Delhi Capitals.

Parvez Rasool, Jammu and Kashmir's first international cricketer, says: "Playing Test cricket is the ultimate dream for any cricketer. It was my dream too. Seeing Auqib earn that call-up fills me with immense pride."