New Delhi, Feb 23 (NationPress) In the Jammu and Kashmir dressing room, filled with the excitement of competing in their inaugural Ranji Trophy final against Karnataka in Hubbali, fast bowling leader Auqib Nabi stands out as the epitome of tranquility. This serene demeanor is what makes Nabi, from the quaint village of Sheeri in Baramulla, particularly formidable.

As J&K prepares to take the field for the championship showdown on Tuesday, all eyes will be on Nabi to create another spellbinding performance with the red ball. This season, he has claimed an impressive 55 wickets across nine matches, marking him as the second-highest wicket-taker with an astonishing average of 12.72. These statistics are nothing short of remarkable, and bowling coach P. Krishnakumar noted how the reserved pacer has evolved into a major threat.

"Nabi's record speaks volumes: 199 wickets in 40 matches. Over the past three years with him, he has secured 99 wickets in the last two seasons alone. His performance this season, with over 50 wickets, illustrates his elevated skill level; he has mastered moving the ball, adapting to various pitches, and tackling different batters. This transformation took nearly a year to develop, starting when I joined the Jammu & Kashmir team," Krishnakumar shared in an exclusive interview with IANS from Hubbali.

Inspired by Dale Steyn, Nabi made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2020, but it is in the last two seasons that he has captured the attention of domestic cricket enthusiasts with his inswing and outswing deliveries. Krishnakumar emphasizes that Nabi's bowling action is fundamental to his success.

"His action is exceptional. The consistency in where he delivers the ball stems from a perfect release point, which is crucial. Biomechanically speaking, Nabi has an almost flawless bowling action, enabling him to repeat it accurately, making it tough for batters to score runs against him," he explained.

Nabi's smooth bowling technique and precision didn't come easily; Krishnakumar detailed the intense training during Nabi's initial year of development. "That first year was centered on process; the results began to show after that as he reaped the rewards of his hard work. He bowled over 1,000 balls that year to refine his skills, mastering wrist position and backspin. It was an extensive process that took nearly a year to reshape him," he added.

One particular performance that solidified Nabi's reputation this season was during the semi-final against Bengal in Kalyani, where he went head-to-head with Indian pacer Mohammed Shami. Shami dominated the first innings with an eight-wicket haul, giving Bengal the upper hand.

Nabi responded with a stunning nine wickets in the match, including a second-innings four-for that dismissed Bengal for just 99, setting J&K a manageable target of 126 which they chased down with ease. He also contributed 42 runs at a crucial time, helping J&K post 302 in their first innings.

This was not his only highlight of the campaign; against Rajasthan, Nabi achieved his career-best figures of 7-24, and at one stage, he took five wickets for only five runs. He also played a vital role with a half-century to guide J&K through a challenging batting situation in that match. Additionally, he delivered yet another Player of the Match performance against Delhi, securing J&K's first win over the traditional powerhouses.

With 44 wickets last season and a hat-trick in the Duleep Trophy, Nabi has excelled beyond his peers. "Nabi has been extraordinary; 99 wickets in two seasons is remarkable. It’s challenging to achieve on Indian pitches, which are often slow. This showcases his skill and quality. I believe he will earn a spot in upcoming Test series," Krishnakumar stated.

Krishnakumar, who previously served as a bowling coach at the NCA (now the BCCI Centre of Excellence), is adamant that Nabi should be integrated into the national setup promptly. "As a coach, I believe in granting opportunities to players while they are in form, rather than postponing their chances. With nearly 100 wickets in two years, it’s a sign of a player ready for the next step. Wherever he plays, whether in the Ranji Trophy or Duleep Trophy, he delivers," he remarked.

"This is the opportune moment to give him a chance. If he competes for India and, with luck, doesn’t perform, it provides insights into where he must improve. These tournaments exist to identify potential players for the national team, and those performing deserve a shot. We also lack fast-bowling depth; currently, we only have two main bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Other bowlers are typically one-format players, such as Harshit Rana and Arshdeep, who I believe can play Tests," Krishnakumar concluded.

As anticipation builds for the Ranji Trophy final, Nabi prepares to face Karnataka's formidable batting lineup featuring Indian internationals such as KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Karun Nair, and Mayank Agarwal, along with Smaran Ravichandran.

However, Krishnakumar believes that the grandeur of the occasion will not affect Nabi’s composure. "What makes Nabi exceptional is his calmness, which has been beneficial. He maintains the same mindset, regardless of whether he concedes runs or achieves a six-wicket haul, which is crucial. His composed nature makes it easier for me as a coach to guide him," he stated.

For a young man from Baramulla who trained without proper facilities, shoes, or coaches, reaching the Ranji Trophy final is already an incredible achievement. Yet, securing the wickets necessary for his state’s glory (and paving the way for a national team call-up) will be at the forefront of Nabi’s mind as he prepares to bowl in Hubbali this week.