Will Auqib Nabi Get Maiden Test Call-Up for India?

The Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi delivered a brilliant opening spell during the Ranji Trophy final, shaking up Karnataka's star-studded top order and reducing them to 57 for 4 in 18 overs as they began their reply to J&K's huge first-innings total of 584 at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground. The right-arm pacer took three wickets in just 23 balls, dismissing one of the best batsmen in India, KL Rahul.

He also got the wickets of Karun Nair, along with Smaran Ravichandran, in back-to-back deliveries. Nabi made the first breakthrough in the 12th over when he removed Rahul with a sharp back-of-a-length ball on off stump that moved away after pitching.

Rahul tried to block it with an angled bat, but the ball took the outside edge, giving Jammu and Kashmir an important early wicket. Nabi's spell grabbed attention online, as fans flooded social media with praise and began backing Auqib Nabi for a place in the Indian Test squad for the upcoming series.

Will Auqib Nabi Play for India in Upcoming Test Series ?

Auqib Nabi Ranji Trophy performance has been the standout for the team in their journey to the finals. He came back in his spell and struck twice in quick time. Karun Nair was beaten by a superb delivery that flew past his outside edge and hit the off stump, sending him back without scoring. Smaran Ravichandran departed on the very next ball.

His fierce spell quickly caught attention on social media, with many fans calling for the 29-year-old to be picked for India ahead of the upcoming Test matches. In 17 innings this season, the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team enjoyed a dream run to their first-ever Ranji Trophy final.

Auqib Nabi total wickets tally has reached 58 wickets at an outstanding average of 12.46, including six five-wicket hauls. He is currently the second-leading wicket-taker this season and needs only two more wickets to go past Mayank Mishra from Uttarakhand, who has 59 wickets in 16 innings.

Auqib Nabi to Make His Test Debut Against New Zealand?

Over the last five years, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have led India’s fast-bowling unit in Test cricket. Siraj has played 45 of India’s 58 Tests since 2020, while one of the best bowlers in the world, Jasprit Bumrah, has featured in 40 matches during that period.

As Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma are out of contention, and the selectors are hesitant to recall a fully fit Mohammed Shami, who has picked up 37 wickets in 13 Ranji Trophy innings this season, India have tried out several pace options in recent years. Among them, only Akash Deep has succeeded in securing a regular spot.

India is scheduled to travel to New Zealand in October for a two-Test series, and Auqib Nabi’s skill in swinging the ball through the air and getting movement off the pitch could make him an attractive choice for the selectors. The selectors may first assess him with India A before taking a final call, but if he maintains this level of performance, Auqib Nabi will most likely wear the Indian test cap in the near future.