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Auqib Nabi is likely to remain out of India's Test cricket team selection as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering keeping most of their focus on internationally tested pace bowlers ahead of their away series against New Zealand.
According to a Dainik Jagran report, the Indian team management and BCCI are leaning towards at least five fast bowlers, and among these five, Auqib Nabi is not close to taking flight to New Zealand.
Auqib Nabi just secured a contract with Surrey
The Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler has joined Surrey for three County Championship Division One matches against Yorkshire, Sussex and Glamorgan. The brief spell with the English club will help the pacer to gather knowledge about the overseas conditions. Media reports suggested that BCCI itself was actively involved in the deal between Auqib Nabi and Surrey.
Auqib Nabi likely to be ignored for New Zealand Tests
While Nabi's contract with Surrey came as a hope, the Dainik Jagran report offers a reality check to Indian cricket fans. The media report claims the team management wants to take five Indian fast bowlers to New Zealand for the Test series. Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep are believed to be currently preferred by the management.
But nothing is finalized yet because of the pacers' fitness-related issues. Akash Deep is not fully fit yet; Jasprit Bumrah is also preparing hard to get the fitness certificate from the BCCI medical unit. What will be the pace bowling combination of the Indian cricket team against New Zealand for the five ODIs, five T20Is and two Test matches on the New Zealand tour depends on the fitness status of the players.
Concerns are over Mohammed Siraj as well. During the previous seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the pacer, who constantly delivered over 140 kmph, bowled against Sri Lanka in the recently concluded Test series below 130 kmph at times.
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— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) September 2, 2026
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🔥 2027… pic.twitter.com/m5F4PwuwJ9
Traditionally, New Zealand is one of the nations where the fast bowlers used to get assistance from the pitch. So, a pack of seamers is also expected to take a key role when the Men in Blue tour the land of Kiwis.
India vs New Zealand multi-format schedule in detail
The series between India and New Zealand will start on October 22 with the five-match T20I series. After the conclusion of the T20I series on November 1, the 5-match ODI series will start on November 4, which will run till November 15, followed by a two-match Test series.
The Test series, which is crucial for India for the ongoing World Test Championship 2025-27, will be held between November 19 and December 1.
