Mohammed Shami and Auqib Nabi (Source: @TheCricketSaga/X.com)
India's next Test assignment is the two-match Test series against South Africa. It is India's second home series in the current WTC cycle and is expected to be a challenging series against a Proteas unit that has recently won a Test match in Pakistan.
India are a team that is trying some new players currently with the retirement of some of their stalwarts from the longest format. The batting pool in India is quite big, but the pace bowling stocks are still not upto the mark, and the search is on for reliable options to support Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
Rising talent vs experienced superstar
Mohammed Shami has been a great servant for India over the years, but has not played Test cricket since 2023. The injuries have halted his progress, but it seems that the pacer is now getting back to his best and has done well for Bengal in two Ranji games. So, should India bring him for the Test series against South Africa?
Another bowler who is impressing consistently in the domestic cricket is Auqib Nabi. He did well in the Duleep Trophy and has now been in top form for Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy. So, should he get a look-in over Shami? Let's try to analyse.
If we look at the numbers in the current Ranji season so far, Auqib Nabi sits at the top of the table with 17 wickets in two matches. He has picked two fifers so far and has got his wickets at an average of 9.35 and a brilliant strike-rate of 23.53.
Comparison of Mohammed Shami and Auqib Nabi in Ranji Trophy 2025-26
| Criterion | Mohammed Shami | Auqib Nabi |
| Matches | 2 | 2 |
| Wickets | 15 | 17 |
| Average | 10.47 | 9.35 |
| Strike-rate | 27.20 | 23.53 |
| 5-Wicket hauls | 1 | 2 |
In terms of wickets, Shami is also not much behind and has grabbed 15 wickets in two matches. Auqib Nabi, though, has a better average and strike-rate than Shami. Also, out of the 15 wickets taken by Mohammed Shami, 10 have been of the bottom-four batters.
Also, Auqib Nabi was in great form in the Duleep Trophy as well and picked four wickets in as many balls against East Zone. Nabi can also contribute with the bat and recently scored a fifty in the Ranji game against Rajasthan.
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Auqib Nabi in first-class cricket
| Criterion | Data |
| Innings | 33 |
| Wickets | 113 |
| Average | 20.10 |
| strike-rate | 41.1 |
| 5w/10w | 11/3 |
Auqib Nabi was the second-leading wicket-taker in the last Ranji season too. He bagged 44 wickets in that season, and is a talent that needs to be given a chance at the international level.
On the other hand, there is Mohammed Shami, though. A proven performer who has won India many games at the international level. If he is completely fit, his experience and world-class skills would be an asset for India and is a player that India cannot ignore in Test cricket.
Why Auqib Nabi's selection over Mohammed Shami for SA series can be a masterstroke?
However, the question here is, who is a better choice for the home Test series? If the Indian selectors want to try out Auqib Nabi, it would be a great thing to bring him into the team for the home series rather than directly on an away tour.
Even if he doesn't get a chance in the playing XI, staying with the Indian team would be a good grooming exercise and could help India in the long term. Mohammed Shami, on the other hand, can play more Ranji games to strengthen his case of full fitness, and it would also help get more game time, which has been missing due to injury in the last year or so.
So, Indian selectors can then bring in Mohammed Shami directly on any tour when they think he is needed. Thus, including Auqib Nabi over Mohammed Shami in the upcoming Test series against South Africa would be a win-win situation for both the bowlers and Indian cricket.
