Examiner Bureau |Srinagar:
Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi has earned selection in the India A squad for the upcoming red-ball fixtures on the New Zealand tour, marking another significant milestone in his rapidly progressing cricket career.
The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) welcomed Nabi’s selection, describing it as a proud moment for J&K cricket and extending its best wishes to the fast bowler for the tour.
Dhruv Jurel has been named captain and wicketkeeper of the India A side, which features several established international players, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar and Akash Deep.
The squad comprises batters Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, Yash Rathod and Ravichandran Smaran; wicketkeepers Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul; all-rounders Washington Sundar and Manav Suthar; and bowlers Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Kumar, Auqib Nabi and Mukesh Choudhary.
Nabi’s inclusion follows an outstanding domestic season and recent exposure to international-level cricket. He previously represented India A on the tour of Sri Lanka, claiming six wickets in two first-class matches.
The pacer played a pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir’s historic maiden Ranji Trophy triumph in the 2025–26 season. He finished the tournament as its leading wicket-taker with 60 wickets, underlining his growing reputation as one of the most promising fast bowlers in domestic cricket. He has also claimed 104 wickets across the last two domestic seasons.
His impressive performances earned him a maiden call-up to India’s senior Test squad as a replacement for the injured pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah during the Sri Lanka tour. Nabi subsequently made his international debut in an ODI against the West Indies on September 30, 2026.
Beyond domestic and international cricket, Nabi has also gained experience in franchise and county cricket. He holds a contract worth Rs 8.40 crore with Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League and recently represented Surrey in the English County Championship.
The India A assignment will provide Nabi with another opportunity to strengthen his credentials in multi-day cricket and gain valuable experience in New Zealand conditions. His selection is also a significant boost for Jammu and Kashmir cricket, reflecting the growing recognition of players emerging from the region’s domestic system.
