India vs Afghanistan: Mohammed Siraj's availability hangs in the balance; Auqib Nabi on standby for one-off Afghanistan Test

TimesofIndia.com in Chandigarh: The Indian team management is likely to take the final call on Mohammed Siraj's workload within the next 48 hours ahead of the one-off Afghanistan Test. If the 32-year-old is rested, Auqib Nabi will replace him in the squad. The Test gets underway on June 6 in New Chandigarh.

TimesofIndia.com has learnt that the medical staff is monitoring Siraj, who has already reached Chandigarh, but his participation hinges on an assessment over the next two days.



The bowler had a long season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Gujarat Titans (GT), playing every game, including the final on May 31. The Titans lost the final by five wickets to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Discussions occurred about resting Siraj for the one-off Test but decision-makers did not want to field a completely inexperienced bowling attack. If selectors make a late call to rest Siraj, Gurnoor Brar is likely to debut, and Nabi will be added to the squad.

It is worth mentioning at this stage that the contest between India and Afghanistan is not part of the World Test Championship (WTC).

"Siraj has had a long season and If he is rested, there is a bright possibility Gurnoor will play and Nabi will come into the squad," a source tracking developments told TimesofIndia.com.

Nabi, who took 60 wickets in the Ranji Trophy last season and guided Jammu & Kashmir to the title, has joined the Indian squad as one of six net bowlers assisting the team in the build-up to the Test.

Apart from Nabi, pacers Gurjapneet Singh and Prince Yadav, and spinners Saransh Jain, Zeeshan Ansari and Shivang Kumar have also been asked to bowl in the nets.


The one-off Test, to be played at the New Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) International Stadium in New Chandigarh, will be followed by three ODIs in Dharamsala, Lucknow and Chennai.