India pacer Auqib Nabi has disclosed that seniors Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill advised him to prioritise seam movement over swing while bowling with the white ball in New Zealand, reasoning that top-order batters at international level are well-equipped to handle a swinging delivery. Nabi made the revelation at a pre-match press conference in Mount Maunganui on 12 November 2026, on the eve of the fourth ODI, with India holding a 2-0 lead in the series after the third match in Hamilton was washed out.

The Senior Dressing Room's Advice

'Actually, this is my first time bowling in New Zealand. So it's a little different here. You have to depend more on the seam movement because the top level batsmen can play the swing. So that was their feedback. If you do a scrambled seam ball or hit the deck, there is a chance to get more wickets here,' Nabi said.

The 30-year-old pacer has claimed two wickets across his four ODIs so far, both arriving in India's rain-affected victory over New Zealand in Wellington. Prior to that, he warmed up impressively for the series with figures of 3 for 69 and 3 for 28 for India A against New Zealand A in Lincoln.

Conditions Feel Familiar for the Jammu & Kashmir Pacer

Nabi, who hails from Jammu & Kashmir, noted that New Zealand's conditions were not dramatically different from what he encounters at home. 'I think it's similar in terms of weather because we have similar weather there as well. It's just that the opposition is a little different. This is an international level, that is a domestic level. For the rest, you get similar kinds of wickets,' he said.

He attributed his ability to handle the step up to the high standard of domestic cricket in India. 'Yes, there was a lot of benefit because our domestic level is very high. So if you do well there, you will usually do well here as well,' he added. The drop-in pitches used at multiple New Zealand venues have also prompted the pace attack to share notes among themselves, with Arshdeep Singh and Anshul Ambhoj among those pooling tactical insights.

Skill Over Express Pace: Nabi's Confidence

Nabi acknowledged that he does not possess express pace but was clear about backing his core skill set. 'Obviously, if you have pace, then it's very good. But my skill, I back it. I have done well there. Here, I have come on skill. Obviously, if there is pace, then it is a plus factor. But I back my skill,' he said. He stressed that discipline — bowling in good areas regardless of surface — remains his non-negotiable. 'Your motive is to bowl the ball in good areas. Hopefully, when there is an advantage from the wicket, you have to put a lot of attention in that as well because you can get hit for runs on that as well, if you are not disciplined,' he added.

A Dream Debut and an Unexpected White-Ball Call

Nabi made his India debut in the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati in September, though the occasion turned difficult — he conceded 84 runs without a wicket on a flat pitch. His red-ball international debut had come earlier via the series against Sri Lanka in August. Notably, Nabi admitted that the white-ball call-up itself came as a surprise: 'To be honest, I wasn't expecting a call in white-ball. I was expecting a call in red-ball. Nonetheless, it's a good opportunity for me to show my skills.'

He also framed the ongoing New Zealand tour as a valuable opportunity for the squad's newer faces to stake a claim for spots in the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup cycle. 'It's a good opportunity for all the newcomers to show their talent and make their case for the World Cup,' he said.

A Message for Aspiring Cricketers from Underserved Regions

Nabi used the platform to send a pointed message to young cricketers from regions with limited infrastructure. 'Anyone who talks to me that they don't have facilities, I tell them that no matter how limited your facilities are, you have to work hard for it. The only thing a player has to do is work hard. Everything else falls into place,' he said. He will remain with India's squad for the two-match Test series beginning 19 November, calling the extended stay a valuable learning opportunity for red-ball preparation.