- Auqib Nabi has joined the Indian squad ahead of the Afghanistan Tests.
- Nabi was impressive in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ranji Trophy triumph.
- India take on Afghanistan in a one-off Test starting June 6 in New Chandigarh.
Reports in the India media suggest that Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi has joined the Indian squad as a back up bowler ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan. It is believed that he has been added to the squad with an eye on potential inclusion in future tours.
Nabi, along with Zeeshan Ansari, are among seven domestic bowlers called up to join the Indian squad for the game. When the squad for the series was announced, the BCCI’s selection panel faced a lot of criticism over Nabi’s exclusion. Instead, Gurnoor Brar made the side in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence.
Auqib Nabi impresses in domestic season
Auqib Nabi has been in scintillating form at the domestic level in recent years. The pacer picked up 60 wickets at an average of 12.6 in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, helping Jammu and Kashmir win their first-ever title. This included five scalps in the final against giants Karnataka.
Additionally, he was the team’s best bowler in 2024-25 too, picking up 44 wickets at an average of 13.9. Nabi’s brilliant work at the domestic level saw him picked up by the Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2026. His first IPL campaign, however, wasn’t the success he’d have hoped for. Nabi went wicketless in the five matches he played.
India face Afghanistan starting June 6
Shubman Gill’s India take on Afghanistan in a one-off Test starting June 6 in Chandigarh. This will be their first match in the format since November 2025. However, the Men in Blue were whitewashed 2-0 at home by South Africa in their most recent Test series.
India beat Afghanistan by an innings and 262 runs in their only previous Test meeting in Bengaluru in 2017. It was also Afghanistan’s first-ever Test match.
For India, this will be their only Test match for a while and it remains to be seen just how well they use this opportunity.
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