Auqib Nabi looks to break down selectors' doors: Is he all that India's pace attack needs?

Nabi has picked 30 wickets in the ongoing FC season [CatchOfThe40986/X.com]

Jammu Kashmir's sensation Auqib Nabi has been wreaking havoc in the domestic circuit for the past couple of season; however, continues to wait for his India A debut.

On November 16, he once again rescued JKCA during the round 5 fixture of the Ranji Trophy against Hyderabad in Jammu with another impressive 4/39 (16). His spell helped the team recover from 171 all out and take an all important 49-run first innings lead. He dismantled 3 of the top-4 Hyderabad batters to put his team in front.

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Why should Auqib Nabi be in India's sceme of things?

Nabi has been a consistent perfromer for JKCA over the past couple of seasons. He ended the last Ranji Trophy season as the second highest wicket-taker in the country, with 44 scalps at an average of 13.93 and a strike rate of 30.47.

Despite the general notion about his slightly slower pace, ranging in mid-130s, he has continued to trouble the batters with his use of the wobble seam and accuracy to back the last season up with the figures of 5/28, 5/52, 7/24, 3/29, 5/35 and 4/39 in this season in 11 innings since the start of the Duleep Trophy.

Auqib Nabi's impeccable FC record

(Auqib Nabi's First-Class stats)

Inference:

Nabi's numbers reveal that as a new ball bowler, he exhibits brilliant control and builds pressure. He does not give too many loose deliveries for the batters to attack and controls swing well — evident from the low economy and the type of edge-inducing bowling that he does.

Having played a considerable amount of red-ball cricket, he has matured as a bowler and has shown consistency with his fitness, having not missed much of a cricket due to injuries.

Conclusion:

As things stand, India heavily rely on Jasprit Bumrah's magic with the new ball. Despite how good and relentless he is on his days, Mohammed Siraj sometimes lacks control and concedes runs at a brisk pace with the new ball.

Additionally, India's attempt to develop Prasidh Krishna as someone like Ishant Sharma has not worked to the T yet. While he did well in phases during the England tour, India missed a bowler who could bowl a dry spell and stem the run-flow of the opposition.

With Mohammed Shami looking out of favour now, after multiple injures over the last two years, Auqib Nabi might just be the name India need in their bowling line-up to support Bumrah and Siraj.

Considering his brilliant numbers in FC cricket, the 29-year-old bowler must be included in India A's upcoming games, as he continues to wait for his opportunities. With the New Zealand tour coming up at the end of 2026 , he could be the answer to India's fast bowling woes in overseas conditions.

Additionally, he can also provide the team with crucial lower order runs, where India has lagged behind the teams like Australia and England in recent years.

This will also help India build a pool of 5 to 6 quality options, like many top teams — even India of the previous generation had one before Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav were phased out.

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