The Rise of Auqib Nabi in Indian Cricket
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) comes to a close, many players are preparing for the international schedule, while others are focusing on their state’s premier leagues. Amid this transition, the Indian men’s cricket team has made a notable decision by summoning Auqib Nabi, a Ranji Trophy-winning player, to the camp ahead of the upcoming Afghanistan Test match.
India will host the Afghanistan men’s team on June 6 at Mullanpur, and according to recent reports, Nabi has been called up to join the Indian side as a backup bowler. This move highlights the importance of domestic cricket in shaping the national team and provides an opportunity for Nabi to showcase his skills on the international stage.
Domestic Performances and Recognition
Nabi’s journey to the national team began with his outstanding performances in the Ranji Trophy. Notably, Paras Dogra led Jammu and Kashmir to their first-ever Ranji Trophy title earlier this year, and Nabi played a crucial role in that victory. He took the most wickets for the team, contributing significantly to their success.
Following this achievement, Nabi joined the Delhi Capitals in the 2026 IPL, where he featured in five matches. Although he went wicketless during that stint, his performance in the domestic circuit did not go unnoticed. However, the Indian squad for the Afghanistan Test did not include Nabi, which sparked discussions about the purpose of domestic cricket and whether players are being overlooked despite strong performances.
Future Prospects and Potential Inclusion
Despite being excluded from the initial squad, there are now reports suggesting that Nabi may be included in future plans. India is set to tour Sri Lanka and New Zealand after the Afghanistan series. While the Sri Lanka series might not be a priority, there is a possibility that Nabi could receive a call-up for the matches against New Zealand.
Nabi’s consistent performances in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy were nothing short of remarkable. He emerged as the standout performer of the tournament, finishing as the highest wicket-taker with 60 wickets from 10 matches. His average of 12.56 and an economy rate of 2.65 were impressive, and he claimed seven five-wicket hauls throughout the season.
Known as the “Baramulla Express,” Nabi played a pivotal role in guiding Jammu & Kashmir to their maiden Ranji Trophy title. His exceptional performance earned him the Player of the Tournament award. One of his best figures came against defending champions Mumbai, where he took 7/24. He also took 5/54 against Karnataka in the final.
Over the last two Ranji seasons, Nabi has taken an impressive 104 wickets, solidifying his position as one of the most promising fast bowlers in Indian cricket.
India’s Squad for the One-off Test vs Afghanistan
The Indian squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan includes:
- Shubman Gill (captain)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul (vice-captain)
- Sai Sudharsan
- Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper)
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Manav Suthar
- Gurnoor Brar
- Harsh Dubey
- Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper)
This list reflects a mix of experienced players and emerging talents, indicating the team’s focus on building a balanced and competitive lineup for the upcoming series. With Nabi’s inclusion in the camp, there is hope that his skills and experience will contribute to the team’s success in the Test match against Afghanistan.
