Nabi failed to make the cut despite being the leading wicket-taker of 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season.
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer addressed Auqib Nabi’s much-debated absence from India’s Test squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour.
Nabi was the star performer of the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season, claiming 60 wickets in just 10 matches and earning the Player of the Tournament award after leading Jammu & Kashmir to their historic maiden Ranji Trophy title.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Jaffer pointed out people tend to excited by fast bowlers who consistently clock 140 kph, and Nabi doesn’t fall in that category.
“Maybe one reason is that we get excited by bowlers who consistently clock 140 kph. Auqib Nabi doesn't bowl at that pace. He bowls around 135 kph, but that's still good enough. If you look at the Ranji Trophy final, Prasidh Krishna and Auqib Nabi were playing together, and Auqib Nabi actually outperformed Prasidh Krishna. I'm not saying Prasidh isn't a very good bowler, but if you compare them side by side, Auqib has outperformed a lot of other bowlers," Jaffer said.
According to Jaffer, Auqib Nabi at least deserves a place in the 15-member squad even if the team management decides against picking him in the playing XI.
“There isn't as much discussion around Auqib Nabi as there was during the Afghanistan series. I hope he gets his chance because I believe he deserves to be in the Indian team. And Auqib Nabi, if a player takes 100 wickets across two domestic seasons, even if you don't include him in the playing XI, he certainly deserves a place in the 15-member squad. So, I really feel for those two players,” he added.
While Jaffer noted that Nabi’s snub from the Sri Lanka series can be attributed to subcontinent conditions, it would be unfair if the 29-year-old fails to make the cut for the New Zealand tour later this year.
“I also feel that if Auqib Nabi isn't selected for the New Zealand series, it would be very unfair. I can understand the thinking behind not picking him for Sri Lanka because the pitches might be flatter and the subcontinent conditions are different.
“But if he isn't selected for the New Zealand tour either, then I think talking about the importance of Ranji Trophy performances will become meaningless. It will all just remain talk about how players should perform well in Ranji Trophy and first-class cricket. Right now, I don't think anyone could have done more than this youngster has. If he still isn't selected for the New Zealand series, then I think we should seriously question whether it's even worth telling young players to prioritize Ranji Trophy cricket or take it so seriously,” he remarked.
Nicknamed the "Baramulla Express", Auqib Nabi has featured in 43 first-class matches so far, picking up 162 wickets at an average of 18.63 and a strike rate of 38.5, including 16 five-wicket hauls.