Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar has openly criticised the Indian selectors after the omission of Auqib Nabi from the squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan. The former chief selector expressed disappointment over the move and questioned the logic behind overlooking a player who has consistently impressed in domestic cricket over the last two seasons.
Vengsarkar believes performances in tournaments like the Ranji Trophy should remain a major factor in national team selection and warned that ignoring deserving domestic performers sends the wrong message to players across the country.
Dilip Vengsarkar questions selectors over Auqib Nabi snub
Speaking to The Times of India, Vengsarkar did not hold back while criticising the selectors. He questioned the entire purpose of the Ranji Trophy if strong domestic performances are not rewarded with national selection.
“The selectors’ decision to ignore him is absolutely absurd and baffling. What kind of selection is this? It is just not acceptable. It is injustice. Can you imagine 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. If domestic cricket performances are not a criterion, then the BCCI should scrap domestic cricket.”
Vengsarkar also dismissed concerns about Nabi’s pace, saying that a bowler should be picked for his ability to take wickets rather than just speed. He felt this was the perfect opportunity to blood the in-form pacer and build his confidence.
“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. This was the ideal time to groom him. When a player is in form, you give him the opportunity then and there.”
Nabi’s outstanding domestic numbers
Nabi has quietly built one of the strongest domestic records among Indian pacers in recent years. Since making his First-Class debut in 2020, he has picked up 156 wickets in just 41 matches at an impressive average of 18.37.
During the previous Ranji Trophy campaign, Nabi claimed 44 wickets in eight matches, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament. He followed it up with an even more dominant 2025-26 season, where he became only the third pacer in Ranji Trophy history to take 60 or more wickets in a single edition.
His performances helped Jammu & Kashmir script history by winning their maiden Ranji Trophy title, with Nabi leading the bowling attack throughout the campaign. Seeing his performances in domestic cricket, he was picked by the Delhi Capitals for IPL 2026 at a price of ₹8.40 crore.
