India are set to begin their two-match Test series against Sri Lanka without their premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who has been ruled out of the tour due to a knee injury. His absence leaves a significant void in the Indian bowling attack, particularly with the team needing strong results to keep its World Test Championship (WTC) hopes alive. With Bumrah unavailable, the BCCI selectors have added Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi Dar to the squad. Sarfaraz Khan has also been brought into the team as a replacement for B Sai Sudharsan, who failed to recover from a toe injury in time for the series.
Mohammed Siraj is expected to spearhead India’s pace attack in Sri Lanka, but questions remain over who will partner him in the playing XI. Prasidh Krishna featured in India’s most recent Test against Afghanistan, while 26-year-old Gurnoor Brar has emerged as an intriguing option following an impressive performance in the warm-up match.
Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Farveez Maharoof believes Brar could provide India with the X-factor they need in Bumrah’s absence. The former cricketer was particularly impressed by the youngster’s pace, bounce and aggressive approach during the practice game.
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“The ability to reverse-swing the ball, especially with the older ball, is something Bumrah brings, and that is going to be a massive miss for India,” Farveez Maharoof said.
He acknowledged Siraj’s qualities but felt India could miss Bumrah’s ability to consistently produce wicket-taking deliveries and create breakthroughs with the older ball.
VIDEO | Former Sri Lanka allrounder Farveez Maharoof (@farveezmaharoof) feels rookie pacer Gurnoor Brar could be the ‘X-Factor’ in absence of Jasprit Bumrah and says he would be tempted to hand the 26-year-old his Test debut in the two-match series against Sri Lanka, beginning in… pic.twitter.com/O3fvrNbO1O
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 11, 2026
Maharoof also backed Brar to make his Test debut, despite the pacer having limited experience at the international level. The tall quick reportedly troubled several members of India’s Test squad during the warm-up fixture, with his pace and bounce making the batters uncomfortable.
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“I really like Gurnoor Brar. I think he can be the X-factor. He has the bounce, the pace and the fighting spirit. He can be nasty,” Farveez Maharoof said. The former Sri Lankan all-rounder believes Brar could be particularly effective in short spells, where his pace and bounce could disrupt a batter’s rhythm and create opportunities for wickets. “If I were in the Indian think tank, I would be tempted to give Gurnoor a go. I know he has only played white-ball cricket for India, but he brings that X-factor. In short-burst spells, when you want to break a batter’s rhythm, he can be a lethal weapon,” Maharoof added.
With Bumrah ruled out, India’s pace combination will be one of the key talking points ahead of the first Test. The decision between experience and Brar’s raw pace could have a major impact on India’s plans in Sri Lanka.
