From the snow-capped, rugged terrain of Baramulla to the peak of Indian red-ball cricket, Auqib Nabi’s rise is a story of relentless endurance and supreme craft. Dubbed the "Baramulla Express," the 29-year-old seam bowler earned a national Test call-up to Sri Lanka as the direct replacement for Jasprit Bumrah. In this article, we look at his career and journey so far.
Auqib Nabi Profile
Full Name: Auqib Nabi Dar
Date of Birth: November 4, 1996
Birthplace: Sheeri, Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir, India
Role: Right-arm Medium-Fast Bowler / Lower-Order Batter
Domestic Teams: Jammu & Kashmir, North Zone, India A
IPL Team: Delhi Capitals
International Team: India (Test Squad)
Auqib Nabi Earns Maiden India Test Call-Up
Auqib Nabi has emerged as one of India's most exciting fast-bowling prospects after earning his maiden call-up to the Indian Test squad for the 2026 tour of Sri Lanka. The Jammu & Kashmir pacer was named as a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah, marking a historic milestone in his career.
With this selection, Nabi becomes only the third cricketer from Jammu & Kashmir to represent India's senior men's team after Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik. His rise has been built on remarkable consistency in domestic cricket, where he established himself as one of the country's premier red-ball bowlers.
Record-Breaking Ranji Trophy Career
Auqib Nabi's India selection comes on the back of two extraordinary Ranji Trophy campaigns that firmly established him among India's elite domestic seamers.
104 Wickets Across Two Ranji Trophy Seasons
Nabi claimed a staggering 104 wickets across two consecutive Ranji Trophy seasons, becoming only the fifth bowler in tournament history to reach the 100-wicket mark over back-to-back campaigns. He is also just the second fast bowler after Jaydev Unadkat to achieve the feat, underlining his exceptional consistency in India's premier first-class competition.
Dominant 2025–26 Ranji Trophy Season
The 2025–26 Ranji Trophy proved to be the defining season of Nabi's domestic career.
He finished as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 60 wickets in 10 matches at an outstanding average of 12.65, consistently dismantling opposition batting line-ups throughout the season.
Historic Ranji Trophy Triumph for Jammu & Kashmir
Auqib Nabi played a crucial role in guiding Jammu & Kashmir to their maiden Ranji Trophy title, one of the biggest achievements in the state's cricketing history.
His outstanding performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award after finishing the campaign with seven five-wicket hauls.
Among his standout performances were:
A match-winning 5-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy final against Karnataka
A sensational 12-wicket match haul against Madhya Pradesh, one of the finest bowling performances of the tournament
His ability to deliver under pressure made him the driving force behind Jammu & Kashmir's historic championship-winning campaign.
Duleep Trophy Heroics: Four Wickets in Four Balls
Nabi produced one of the most memorable spells in recent domestic cricket during the 2025 Duleep Trophy while representing North Zone against East Zone.
He claimed four wickets in four consecutive deliveries, finishing with remarkable figures of 5/28. The rare achievement showcased both his control and ability to exploit favourable conditions with relentless accuracy.
First-Class Career Statistics
Auqib Nabi has already built an impressive first-class record despite being in the early stages of his professional career.
His achievements include:
160+ first-class wickets
40+ first-class matches
Bowling average below 19
Two first-class half-centuries
These numbers highlight his value as a genuine bowling all-rounder capable of contributing with both ball and bat.
Auqib Nabi Bowling Style and Strengths
Unlike many modern fast bowlers who rely primarily on express pace, Auqib Nabi's success is built on precision, discipline and intelligent seam bowling.
Excellent Seam Movement and Accuracy
Operating consistently in the 130–135 km/h range, Nabi generates movement primarily off the pitch rather than through swing in the air.
His biggest weapon is the ability to deliver both inswingers and outswingers from an almost identical release point, making it extremely difficult for top-order batters to read his variations.
Stump-to-Stump Bowling
Nabi follows a classic stump-to-stump approach that constantly challenges the batter's technique.
A significant proportion of his wickets come through:
Clean bowled dismissals
Leg-before-wicket (LBW)
Batters forced into defensive errors by sustained pressure
This attacking method makes him particularly effective on subcontinental surfaces.
Workhorse Mentality
One of Nabi's defining qualities is his repeatable bowling action.
His smooth, efficient run-up enables him to bowl long spells without sacrificing pace, accuracy or control. This endurance makes him especially valuable in Test cricket, where maintaining pressure over extended periods is essential.
Tactical Intelligence
Auqib Nabi is also known for his adaptability.
Rather than relying on a single method, he adjusts his seam position and lengths according to pitch conditions while combining patience with controlled aggression. His tactical awareness allows him to build pressure over multiple overs before forcing mistakes from batters.
Why Auqib Nabi Is Considered India's Next Red-Ball Prospect
Auqib Nabi's rapid rise has been driven by sustained excellence rather than short bursts of form. Record-breaking wicket hauls, outstanding first-class statistics, and match-winning performances in both the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy have earned him national recognition.
His ability to move the ball off the seam, maintain relentless accuracy, and bowl long spells makes him well suited to the demands of Test cricket. With his maiden India call-up for the Sri Lanka tour, Nabi now has the opportunity to translate his outstanding domestic success onto the international stage.
Also Read | Fastest Bowlers of All Time in Cricket History
