India are ready to play the first of two Test matches in Galle starting on Saturday. The tour is set to see some new faces like Auqib Nabi and Saransh Jain, who have got their maiden India call-ups. Nabi had a great season with the ball for Jammu and Kashmir, where he picked up 60 wickets. Saransh, on the other hand, was selected after impressing with the bat and ball in domestic cricket.

Auqib was drafted into the side as a replacement for jasprit bumrahwho was ruled out of the series due to injury. Both players sat down for an interview on BCCI’s official channel. The 29-year-old pacer from J&K spoke about his whereabouts when he got a call to board the flight to Sri Lanka.

The pacer said, “I was at the airport, heading to join a camp at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.

I was asked about my whereabouts, and I told them that I am going to Bengaluru. They told me to cancel the trip and head to Sri Lanka instead as I was selected for the national team.”

In the three-day warm-up game between India and Sri Lanka Cricket XI, the pacer didn’t bowl in the first innings. He was given a chance to bowl in the second innings, where he delivered five overs and went wicketless.

The bowler also made his IPL debut earlier this year, where he played five games for Delhi Capitals and agonisingly didn’t manage to pick up any wickets during the season.

Saransh asked the seamer to give his reaction on the call-up. “I couldn’t believe it at first because it was unexpected. The team was already announced, and I had made up my mind to work hard to earn a spot in the team, and I was ready to join the CoE camp. The atmosphere has been great so far, and sharing the dressing room and nets with people whom you have seen on TV is a huge deal for me.”

Indian pace sensation expected call-up sooner or later

Madhya Pradesh star also asked Nabi about his feelings after not getting picked for the team despite taking 60 wickets during his side’s maiden Ranji Title earlier this year. “I had expectations because as a player you need to have a mindset to perform well and people who matter will watch you,’ he said.

“I knew my selection was a matter of time and it would happen today or tomorrow.

I have been doing well for the last few years, and the fruits of my hard work had to come. I bowled with a mindset that I had to take wickets and perform well and leave the rest to God. When the call finally came, it was a happy occasion for my family and me, and nothing is bigger than that.”