J-K pacer Auqib Nabi finally earns long-awaited recognition
Auqib Nabi becomes the third cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir, after Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik, to earn a place in the Indian team.
- Replaces injured Jasprit Bumrah for Sri Lanka Test series.
- Took 104 Ranji Trophy wickets across the last two seasons.
- Claimed 60 wickets in the 2025-26 season at 12.56 average.
- Helped Jammu and Kashmir win their first Ranji Trophy title.
- Becomes the third Jammu and Kashmir player selected for India.
- India begin the two-Test series against Sri Lanka on August 15 in Galle.
Auqib Nabi’s long journey to the Indian Test team has finally reached its destination. After years of consistent performances in domestic cricket, the Jammu and Kashmir pacer has earned his maiden India call-up as a replacement for the injured Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. For many followers of Indian domestic cricket, the selection is overdue and a fitting reward for one of the country’s most consistent fast bowlers over the past two seasons.
The 29-year-old seamer has built his reputation through hard work rather than hype. While many young cricketers grabbed attention through franchise cricket, Nabi quietly continued delivering match-winning spells in the Ranji Trophy. His patience has now paid off with an opportunity to represent India in the longest format of the game.
India’s tour of Sri Lanka includes two Test matches in Galle. The opening Test will be played from August 15 to 19, while the second Test is scheduled from August 23 to 27. Both fixtures are part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, making every victory crucial as India and Sri Lanka look to strengthen their positions in the race for the WTC final.
Nabi’s numbers over the last two Ranji Trophy seasons underline why selectors could no longer ignore him. He claimed an outstanding 104 wickets during this period, including 60 wickets in the 2025-26 season alone. His remarkable average of 12.56 reflected not only consistency but also his ability to dominate quality batting line-ups throughout the campaign.
His performances played a massive role in Jammu and Kashmir creating history by winning their maiden Ranji Trophy title. Nabi delivered whenever his team needed him most, producing match-winning spells against some of India’s strongest domestic sides. He registered a five-wicket haul against Mumbai early in the season, followed by a stunning 12-wicket match haul against Madhya Pradesh in the quarter-finals. He then picked up nine wickets against Bengal in the semi-finals before claiming 5 for 54 in the final against Karnataka. Alongside his bowling exploits, he also contributed 245 valuable runs, making him the unanimous choice for Player of the Series.
The pacer had also impressed during India A’s recent tour of Sri Lanka, taking six wickets in two first-class matches. Those performances strengthened his case and demonstrated that he could succeed in overseas conditions as well.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh praised Nabi’s selection, saying the fast bowler fully deserved the opportunity after consistently performing in the Ranji Trophy. Harbhajan also stressed that long-format selections should continue rewarding sustained domestic performances rather than relying only on IPL success.
Nabi’s call-up also carries special significance for Jammu and Kashmir cricket. He becomes only the third player from the region after Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik to earn selection for the Indian team. His success is another milestone for a state that has steadily produced talented cricketers capable of competing at the highest level.
The opportunity has arrived because India are dealing with several injury setbacks. Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out after failing to recover from a left knee injury, while Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Akash Deep are also unavailable due to fitness concerns. Nabi now joins Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar in India’s pace attack for the Sri Lanka series.
The selection marks a complete turnaround in Nabi’s career. Earlier this year, he was overlooked despite an exceptional domestic season, with selectors opting for other uncapped fast bowlers. Now, after years of perseverance and consistent excellence, he finally has the chance to wear the India cap.