Auqib Nabi named in J&K Ranji Trophy camp after ODI debut vs West Indies
Synopsis
Just days after becoming only the third Jammu & Kashmir player to represent India in international cricket, Auqib Nabi is back to domestic duty — named in J&K's Ranji Trophy preparatory camp as the defending champions gear up for their title defence. With India A and a two-Test New Zealand tour on the horizon, every wicket in Srinagar could bring him closer to a Test cap.
Key Takeaways
Auqib Nabi has been named in Jammu & Kashmir's 18-member squad for the Ranji Trophy preparatory camp starting 7 October 2026 at the Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium .
Nabi made his ODI debut in the second match against the West Indies at Guwahati , receiving his cap from KL Rahul , and is the third J&K player to represent India after Umran Malik and Parvez Rasool .
He conceded 84 runs in 8.4 overs without a wicket on his debut but had earlier taken 60 wickets in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy , helping J&K win the title for the first time.
J&K begin their Ranji Trophy title defence against Madhya Pradesh in Srinagar on 11 October .
Nabi's performances will be monitored ahead of India A's New Zealand tour and the two-Test series in New Zealand in October-November .
Fast bowler Auqib Nabi, fresh off his maiden ODI appearance for India in the recently concluded 2-1 series win over the West Indies, has been included in Jammu & Kashmir's 18-member squad for the senior men's Ranji Trophy preparatory camp. The camp is scheduled to commence at the Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar on Tuesday, 7 October 2026.
Squad Announcement and Key Names
J&K Cricket Association Secretary Vivek Khajuria announced the squad following approval from the selection committee. Nabi will share the camp with a blend of seasoned campaigners and fellow pace talent. Among the notable inclusions are express pacer Umran Malik, experienced batter and team captain Paras Dogra, batters Abdul Samad, Shubham Khajuria, and Qamran Iqbal, as well as left-arm spinner Abid Mushtaq.
The full 18-member group comprises: Shubham Khajuria, Yawer Hassan, Qamran Iqbal, Abdul Samad, Paras Dogra, Kawalpreet Singh, Shubham Pundir, Kanhaiya Wadhawan, Abid Mushtaq, Vanshaj Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Auqib Nabi, Umran Malik, Sunil Kumar, Umar Nazir, Lone Nasir Muzaffar, Sahil Lotra, and Waseem Bashir.
Nabi's Historic ODI Debut
Nabi made his international debut in the second ODI between India and the West Indies at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. He received his India cap from KL Rahul, becoming only the third player from Jammu & Kashmir to represent the country in international cricket, after Umran Malik and Parvez Rasool.
The debut, however, proved a trial by fire. Nabi conceded 84 runs in 8.4 overs without claiming a wicket on what was described as a batting-friendly surface. His call-up to the ODI team also meant he missed J&K's Irani Cup fixture, which the side lost by 167 runs to the Rest of India.
The Road That Led Here
Nabi's elevation to national reckoning is rooted in a record-breaking 2025-26 Ranji Trophy campaign, where he claimed 60 wickets for Jammu & Kashmir — helping the team clinch the Ranji Trophy title for the first time in its history. That haul made him one of the most-watched fast bowlers on the domestic circuit.
He was subsequently included in India's Test squad for the series in Sri Lanka in August, which India won 1-0, though Nabi did not feature in the playing eleven. He also completed a brief County Championship stint with Surrey to sharpen his red-ball skills ahead of a potentially busy winter.
What Selectors Are Watching
Nabi's performances in the Ranji Trophy title defence are expected to be under close scrutiny from the national selection panel. Two high-profile assignments loom: India A's three-match tour of New Zealand and the two-Test series in New Zealand, both set for the October-November window. A strong outing at domestic level could be the final push for a Test debut.
J&K's Ranji Trophy Schedule
Defending champions J&K open their title defence against Madhya Pradesh in Srinagar on 11 October. They then host Vidarbha from 18 October, travel away to face Baroda, and return home to play Puducherry before the Ranji Trophy season pauses for white-ball competitions. A successful title defence, with Nabi leading the pace attack, would further strengthen his case at the national level.
Point of View
No wicket — are a reminder that transitioning from a wicket-heavy Ranji campaign to the unforgiving pace of international cricket is rarely seamless, and the selectors know this. What is more telling is that they persist with him: the Test squad call for Sri Lanka and the continued domestic tracking suggest the panel sees a long-game asset, not just a white-ball experiment. J&K's title defence doubles as his audition — if he bowls the way he did in 2025-26, the New Zealand Test squad conversation becomes unavoidable. The question is whether the county stint with Surrey has addressed his economy concerns at the top level.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Auqib Nabi and why is he in the news?
Auqib Nabi is a fast bowler from Jammu & Kashmir who made his ODI debut for India in the second match of the recently concluded series against the West Indies. He has now been named in J&K's 18-member Ranji Trophy preparatory camp, which begins on 7 October 2026 in Srinagar.
How did Auqib Nabi perform on his ODI debut?
Nabi conceded 84 runs in 8.4 overs without taking a wicket in his debut ODI against the West Indies at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. The surface was reported to be batting-friendly, which contributed to his tough outing.
What is Auqib Nabi's domestic record that earned him an India call-up?
Nabi claimed 60 wickets in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, helping Jammu & Kashmir win the title for the first time in their history. That haul made him the standout fast bowler of the domestic season and earned him a place in India's Test squad for the Sri Lanka series.
When does J&K begin their Ranji Trophy title defence?
Jammu & Kashmir open their Ranji Trophy title defence against Madhya Pradesh in Srinagar on 11 October 2026. They subsequently host Vidarbha on 18 October before away and home games against Baroda and Puducherry respectively.
What are Nabi's next possible international opportunities?
National selectors are expected to closely monitor Nabi's performances ahead of India A's three-match tour of New Zealand and a two-Test series in New Zealand, both scheduled for October-November 2026. A strong Ranji Trophy showing could push him into contention for a Test debut.
