Auqib Nabi Shares Insights on Bowling and Domestic Success Ahead of ODI Series

Auqib Nabi Discusses His Bowling Approach

As India prepares for the fourth ODI against New Zealand, pacer Auqib Nabi reflects on his extensive domestic experience with Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing his confidence in his abilities as a bowler. Following a challenging ODI debut against the West Indies, where he conceded 84 runs in 8.5 overs, Nabi has shown improvement in New Zealand. Although he did not take any wickets in the first ODI, he delivered a solid six-over spell, allowing only 33 runs. In the second ODI, he made a significant impact by claiming two wickets, dismissing Tim Seifert and Will Young with figures of 2/31 in seven overs.

Foundation of Domestic Achievements

Nabi played a pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir's first-ever Ranji Trophy victory. The 29-year-old bowler secured 60 wickets during the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, contributing to his team's historic triumph. His impressive performance came over 10 matches (17 innings) with an average of 12.56, including seven five-wicket hauls, making him the tournament's leading wicket-taker. Reflecting on how his domestic success has translated to the international stage, Auqib stated, "Performing well in domestic cricket, which is of high quality, has significantly aided my transition to international play."

Perspective on Pace and Skill

Addressing comments about his lack of express pace, Nabi acknowledged that while speed is beneficial, he relies on his skills. He remarked, "Pace is an advantage, but my success is rooted in my skill set. What I excelled at in domestic cricket will also serve me well here."

Professional Attitude and Guidance for Young Players

Known for his calm demeanor on the field, Auqib prefers to let his performance speak for itself rather than engaging in animated celebrations. He explained, "My approach has always been to focus on my job quietly and allow my skills to shine through in my batting and bowling." Coming from Jammu and Kashmir, he has faced challenges due to limited facilities but emphasizes the importance of hard work. He encourages aspiring cricketers to persevere, stating, "Hard work is crucial; everything else will eventually align. I urge young players to keep striving, regardless of their circumstances."

Future Prospects and Opportunities

Despite his success in white-ball cricket, where he has taken 58 List-A wickets in 40 matches at an average of 28.98 and 43 T20 wickets in 39 matches at an average of 25.27, Nabi was surprised by his call-up for limited-overs cricket. He will also serve as a net bowler in New Zealand ahead of the Test series starting November 19. Although he has been part of Indian Test squads recently, he is not included in the squad for the upcoming Tests and is yet to make his Test debut. He concluded, "I didn't expect my first call-up for white-ball cricket; I was anticipating red-ball opportunities. Nonetheless, this is a fantastic chance to showcase my skills, and I view it as a positive experience."