3 major reasons why Auqib Nabi deserves a place in Indian Test team
Jammu & Kashmir player Auqib Nabi was adjudged POTM in the semi-final 2 against Bengal in Ranji Trophy 2025-26.
Jammu & Kashmir have secured their place in the final of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 by crushing Bengal by six wickets in the semi-final 2. They have scripted history by making it to the final of the domestic first-class tournament for the first time.
Bowling all-rounder Auqib Nabi played a pivotal role in propelling Jammu & Kashmir to victory in the nail-biting clash. He picked nine wickets in the encounter- a five-wicket haul in 1st innings and a four-wicket haul in 2nd innings- to win the Player of the Match award. He also scored 42 runs in the only innings he batted.
Due to Nabi’s spectacular show, Bengal pacer Mohammed Shami’s eight-wicket haul in the first innings went in vain. J&K won the encounter to shock Bengal, making a stunning comeback in the second innings.
Following Auqib Nabi’s heroics in semi-final 2, below are the three major reasons why he deserves a spot in the Indian test team.
3. Impressive Show in Ranji Trophy 2025-26
The 29-year-old not only made a splash in the semi-final against Bengal but also showed excellent form in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26.
Nabi is the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 55 wickets in 9 games at an outstanding average of 12.72. With six five-wicket hauls with a best bowling show of 7/24, he has been a spectacular pacer in the tournament.
2. Consistent Form in First-Class Cricket
Auqib has held a wonderful record in first-class cricket since his debut in 2020. Across 66 innings in 40 matches, he has clinched 151 wickets at an average of 18.62. This comprises 15 five-wicket hauls and four 10-wicket hauls, including a 12-wicket haul in one encounter.
With the bat, he has mustered 967 runs in 55 innings averaging 19.34 with two half-centuries. Therefore, due to his consistency, he should definitely get a chance in the Indian Test team.
1. India need a skilled seam all-rounder
India have introduced a few seam all-rounders in the test team, but none of them has cemented a place so far. In the current squad, Nitish Kumar Reddy is an emerging seam all-rounder in tests. However, his bowling woes are a major concern for the Indian team.
In such a scenario, India need to develop more such all-rounders to strengthen their test team in the near future. Nabi is a promising all-rounder for India following his heroics in the Ranji Trophy.
Auqib Nabi plays for which team in Indian domestic cricket?
Auqib Nabi plays for Jammu & Kashmir in Indian domestic cricket.
Who was Player of the Match in semi-final 2 of Ranji Trophy 2025-26 between Bengal and Jammu & Kashmir?
Auqib Nabi was Player of the Match in the encounter. He picked nine wickets in the clash, which Jammu & Kashmir won by six wickets.
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Vikas Singh Derek is a core cricket-lover since childhood and has always followed the sport both in his personal and professional life. He started his school life by watching cricket at home with family. Later, he played cricket on the field at local clubs during college. After his Master's in Journalism from Mumbai, he followed his passion by covering cricket news across various digital media. Since 2015, he has been an aspiring sports journalist and cricket content writer with over 50K+ articles.