Auqib Nabi’s rise in Indian domestic cricket has been nothing short of extraordinary. The star pacer delivered a historic performance in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy, emerging as the leading wicket-taker and the chief architect behind Jammu & Kashmir’s maiden title triumph. Over the last two seasons, Nabi has established himself as arguably the most prolific fast bowler in the Indian domestic circuit, claiming a staggering 104 wickets in just 18 matches.
Auqib Nabi’s splendid show in the Ranji Trophy
In the latest Ranji campaign alone, Nabi was virtually unstoppable. He picked up seven five-wicket hauls in the tournament — eight in the overall first-class season — equalling the record for the most five-wicket hauls by a pacer in a single season in India. His impact was felt most strongly in the knockout stages. Nabi grabbed five wickets in the quarter-final, repeated the feat in the semi-final, and then produced a match-defining spell in the final that swung the contest decisively in Jammu & Kashmir’s favour.
Unsurprisingly, he was named Player of the Series for his dominant performances. With such consistency and match-winning displays, many former cricketers and experts have openly demanded his inclusion in the Indian national squad.
Devajit Saikia responds to selection demands for Nabi
Amid the growing clamour for Nabi’s India call-up, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia addressed the matter in an interview with The Times of India. Saikia acknowledged the pacer’s remarkable performances and confirmed that his efforts have not gone unnoticed.
“He has played very well. His contribution has been major to the success of the team. He took five wickets in the quarter-final, five wickets in the semi-final, and left nothing in the final. His spell changed the final. So, everybody is taking note of it,” Saikia said.
The BCCI secretary also underlined the board’s commitment to ensuring that talent from every corner of the country gets due recognition. Saikia’s remarks indicate that while immediate selection is not guaranteed, Nabi firmly remains on the radar of national selectors.
“The BCCI has set the stage right so that no proper talent goes unnoticed. When selectors are present, their only focus is on players’ performances, which they are tracking closely. That is why so many players from small and lesser-known places are getting opportunities to represent the country. Regarding Nabi, he has come from Baramulla. Who brought him to this position? The selectors in J&K. The BCCI selectors did not bring him. But when he plays domestic cricket and represents his state team, the BCCI selectors keep an eye on domestic matches,” he added.
Jammu & Kashmir’s historic Ranji triumph
The 2025–26 season of the Ranji Trophy will forever be remembered in Jammu & Kashmir’s cricketing history. On 28 February 2026, the team clinched their maiden Ranji Trophy title in their first-ever appearance in a final.
Led by veteran Paras Dogra, Jammu & Kashmir defeated eight-time champions Karnataka at the D. R. Bendre Cricket Stadium in Hubballi, ending a 67-year wait since their tournament debut in the 1959–60 season. The victory has been hailed as a transformative moment for cricket in the region.
The achievement resonated beyond the boundary ropes. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced a ₹2 crore cash reward for the team, celebrating their landmark success.
For Nabi, the title was not just a personal milestone but a symbol of a region’s cricketing resurgence. Whether his Ranji heroics soon translate into an India cap remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — his name is now firmly etched in the national conversation.
