Sourav Ganguly Backs Auqib Nabi for National Selection After Impressive Ranji Trophy Performance

Ganguly's Endorsement of Nabi

Sourav Ganguly, the former captain of India, has praised Auqib Nabi, a fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir, following his remarkable five-wicket haul against Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy final held at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground on Friday. Nabi's outstanding performance is positioning him as a strong candidate for the national team, especially with India's upcoming white-ball series in England scheduled for July 2026. Ganguly expressed his belief that Nabi should be included in the squad, emphasizing that this summer in England could be a pivotal moment for him.

In a post on X, Ganguly stated, "J&K has demonstrated the power of effort and determination. They have made their region proud. A tough environment breeds tough individuals. Auqib Nabi is on the path to national representation, and England is the ideal starting point this summer."

Nabi's Exceptional Performance in the Ranji Trophy

Jammu and Kashmir has dominated the Ranji final, bowling Karnataka out for just 293 runs in their first innings, which has given them a substantial first-innings lead of 291 runs. Nabi was the standout bowler, achieving figures of 5 wickets for 54 runs in 23 overs, leading his team's charge in this crucial match.

Currently, Nabi is the top wicket-taker in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, boasting 60 wickets across 10 matches with an impressive average of 12.56, including seven five-wicket hauls. With only a few sessions remaining in the match, a draw appears to be the most probable outcome, which would secure Jammu and Kashmir their first-ever Ranji title due to their first-innings lead.