Auqib Nabi finally opens up on India Test snub despite role in J&K's maiden Ranji Trophy title, says 'I had expectations. But...'

Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi got his maiden call-up for the Test tour of Sri Lanka after pace-bowling Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out due to an injury. Nabi faced the selectors’ snub despite his heroics in the Ranji Trophy, guiding his team to the maiden title. Ahead of the two-Test series, Nabi has opened up on the snubs. He revealed that he had expectations to get a call-up early but chose to focus on his performances amid snubs.

“Yes, I had expectations. But as a cricketer, you have to have the mindset that your job is to perform. The rest of the people will watch you. I did think I would get a call-up," Nabi told uncapped Saransh Jain in a video posted by the BCCI on August 13.

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"Today or tomorrow, I will join the Indian team because you have been doing well for so many years; you have to reap the fruits of your hard work. I had the same mindset when I bowled; my job is to take wickets and the rest is up to God.”

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However, Nabi revealed that he was not expecting the call after the squad for Sri Lanka tour was announced. He was already preparing to join his state side’s camp ahead of the domestic season 2026-27 when he got the call and boarded the flight to Sri Lanka.

Nabi’s Ranji title-winning numbers

In the Ranji Trophy 2025-26, he was the top wicket-taker, just one ahead of Uttarakhand's Mayank Mishra. From 10 games, the pacer bagged 60 wickets at an average of 12.56, including seven five-wicket hauls and two four-fers.

After snub, Nabi’s journey to Test squad

While Nabi was with the squad for one-off Afghanistan Test as a net bowler, he did not get a chance in the senior side. Ahead of him, Gurnoor Brar was picked in the side. Brar made his ODI debut in Afghanistan series and was on the flight to England as well. He is yet to make his Test debut as well.

After the one-off Afghanistan Test, Nabi was included in the India A squad for Sri Lanka tour. Against Sri Lanka A, he made his India A debut, taking a four-fer. The 29-year-old bagged six wickets from two games. In the three-day practice game against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) XI, he did not bowl in the first innings. In the second innings, he got a chance and bowled five overs. He conceded 27 runs and did not take a wicket.

Will Auqib Nabi make his Test debut in Sri Lanka?

With spin-friendly pitches in Sri Lanka, it is not clear whether Nabi gets his debut Test cap. If he gets a chance, he might make a case for the tour of New Zealand later this year where seam-bowling will be a key in pace-friendly conditions.