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Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee’s decision to ignore Auqib Nabi, the highest wicket-taker of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, for the one-off Test match against Afghanistan continues to grab criticisms from the cricket fraternity. Former Team India captain Dilip Vengsarkar is the latest one to slam Ajit Agarkar and Co.
The former cricketer is in disbelief that a cricketer, who displayed a top-flight performance throughout the Ranji Trophy season, helping Jammu and Kashmir to lift the title as the best bowler in the tournament, has been ruled out of the selection process.
'What kind of selection is this?'
Dilip Vengsarkar did not hesitate to use some sharp adjectives against the selectors. He mentioned that ignoring Auqib Nabi is nothing less than serving injustice to the bowler who had taken 60 wickets in 10 matches at a stunning average of 12.56 and was named Player of the Tournament as well.
“The selectors’ decision to ignore him is absolutely absurd and baffling. What kind of selection is this? It is just not acceptable. It is an injustice. Can you imagine Auqib Nabi’s plight right now? He took 60 wickets in the Ranji Trophy. He has worked hard for it and deserves a place ahead of everybody else,” the former batter told the Times of India.
Auqib Nabi was the wicket-taking machine for J&K
Nabi took his form to the next level as soon as Jammu and Kashmir confirmed their place in the knockout stage. The 29-year-old pacer, who is mostly known for moving the balls in both ways, picked 5 for 54 in the first innings of the final against Karnataka, 9 for 123 in the semifinal against Bengal, and 12-110 in the quarterfinal against Madhya Pradesh. The 60-wicket tally of Auqib Nabi was packed with seven five-wicket hauls and two four-wicket hauls.
Despite Nabi’s mastery in generating swings, there are concerns over his pace. He is not among the pacers who could deliver constantly over 140 cases. However, Dilip Vengsarkar does not agree with the theory that a pacer is ignored only because of pace.
For the former skipper, a bowler's primary task is to take wickets, and Nabi exactly did that. He might have lacked in generating pace, but he knows how to dismiss the batters.
“You pick a bowler for his ability to get wickets. He may bowl at 130 kmph, but the important thing is his wicket-taking ability. This kid has shown tremendous consistency in getting wickets,” the 70-year-old said.
Vengsarkar further stated that if performances in domestic cricket are not the criteria, then the Board of Control for Cricket in India needs to scrap it.
BCCI should scrap domestic cricket: Dilip Vengsarkar
“If domestic cricket performances are not a criterion, then the BCCI should scrap domestic cricket,” the former cricketer, now a cricket expert, opines.
Dilip Vengsarkar explains that in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Team India needs someone who could take wickets, and Auqib Nabi is the perfect man for the job.
“This was the ideal time to groom him. When a player is in form, you give him the opportunity then and there. You don’t wait until he loses confidence, fitness, or hunger,” he added.
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