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Auqib Nabi may not have made it to India's squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, but the talented fast bowler has finally received some recognition for his outstanding performances in domestic cricket. The Jammu & Kashmir pacer has joined the Indian team as a backup player.
The Indian selectors were facing heavy backlash from fans and cricket experts after Nabi was overlooked for Prithvi Yadav for a maiden Test call-up despite delivering consistently strong performances in the Ranji Trophy over the last few seasons.
Auqib Nabi joins India squad before the Afghanistan Test
Following the continuous criticism, Auqib Nabi has been called into the India national cricket team as the backup player. The main aim behind this move is to give Nabi a chance to learn and train alongside international players and understand the demands of Test cricket.
Mohsin Kamal, a journalist, shared on X: “BREAKING: Auqib Nabi joins India’s Test squad for the Afghanistan Test as a backup player. He has been included to gain first-hand experience of the Indian team environment, with an eye on potential inclusion in India’s upcoming tours. #INDvAFG”
BREAKING: Auqib Nabi joins India’s Test squad for the Afghanistan Test as a backup player. He has been included to gain first-hand experience of the Indian team environment, with an eye on potential inclusion in India’s upcoming tours. #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->A<!---->F<!---->G
— Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->2<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->6
His India debut may have to wait a little longer, but the door now appears to be opening. With India scheduled to tour Sri Lanka in August and New Zealand in October for important Test matches, Nabi now has a great opportunity to show that he belongs at the highest level.
Auqib Nabi's dream 2025-26 season
Meanwhile, Auqib Nabi has been consistently dominating domestic cricket. The Jammu & Kashmir pacer has not only helped his team create history by winning their maiden Ranji Trophy title in the 2025-26 season but has also been knocking hard on the doors of the Indian Test team.
Read Also: Zeeshan Ansari joins India's Test squad for Afghanistan series
The 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season was the biggest of his career. Nabi finished as the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with a stunning 60 wickets from just 10 matches. He averaged only 12.57 runs per wicket and picked up seven five-wicket hauls during the season.
104 wickets in two seasons puts Nabi on India's radar
Before this dream season, Nabi had already shown his class in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy. He finished with 44 wickets in only eight matches and ended as the second-highest wicket-taker in India’s premier tournament.
His bowling average of 13.93 was among the best for any fast bowler in the tournament. Across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, Nabi has taken a massive 104 wickets.
His overall First-Class record is equally impressive. In 41 matches, Nabi has taken 156 wickets at an excellent average of 18.38. He has already claimed 16 five-wicket hauls. It was his remarkable consistency that impressed one and all, and now he is very close to an India call-up.
On the other hand, the Indian team will host Afghanistan in a one-off Test, starting on June 6 at the Maharaja Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh. Following the one-off Test, both teams will face each other in a three-match ODI series that will see the return of Virat Kohli in national colors.
