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Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi has been making headlines for the past one year. Nabi was by far the leading wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26, crucial to their maiden title-winning campaign. But, before he achieved Ranji Trophy glory, he was picked for a whopping Rs 8.4 crore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction. Ahead of the season, DC head coach Hemang Badani revealed that he had been tracking the 29-year-old pacer for a while. Also, he does not just see him as a new-ball bowler but capable of making an impact in slog overs too.
“I’ve been tracking him for a while — actually for the last two-and-a-half years. He was working with a fast bowler who has worked with me at Sunrisers Hyderabad, so I have known him from those days. He has been very impressive,” he told the reporters on March 23 as quoted by Indian Express.
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“I see him taking wickets up top — very clear on his role for us. He will be an option in the death overs too. If you look at his white-ball record, it has gone under the radar. He has the skills.”
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Nabi became the most expensive player from Jammu & Kashmir in IPL auction history. However, Badani does not see him getting impacted by the hefty price tag like many have in the past.
“I would like to answer by saying no. But we have seen in the past that players do get affected by it. It is up to the individual,” the 49-year-old said.
Nabi may make his IPL debut early in the 2026 edition as DC may look to stack their batting order with overseas players in the absence of Mitchell Starc.
Nabi's white-ball record
In the previous edition of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), he bagged 15 wickets from seven games at an average of 13.26 and conceded runs at an economy rate of 7.41 runs per over. In Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, he claimed 14 wickets at an average of 22.85.
So far, he has played 34 T20s, claiming 43 wickets at an average of 21.81, featuring two four-fers. He has 56 List A wickets under his belt from 36 games, averaging 27.37, including three four-fers.
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