Auqib Nabi was part of Jammu and Kashmir team that won the Ranji Trophy recently.
Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi has recalled the moment he got the news of his inclusion in the Indian Test team for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. He also talked about being rejected for selection despite performances in domestic cricket.
Nabi, who was instrumental in Jammu and Kashmir's historic first-ever Ranji Trophy victory last season, stated that he has always thot that by continuously delivering excellent performances, he will eventually get called up to the national team.
"Yes, I had expectations. But the mindset of a cricket player should be to perform, and that other people are watching. I knew that I would get the call-up today or tomorrow because when you are doing well for so many years, you are meant to get the returns from the hard work.
So, I would bowl with the mindset that my job is to take wickets and perform, and the rest is up to the one above. I felt great when my name came up. My family is very happy, and I don't think there can be anything greater than this," Nabi said in a video shared by BCCI.
Along with Nabi, Saransh Jain, the Madhya Pradesh spinner, received his maiden India Test call-up at the age of 33.
"You have to have patience in Test cricket, and if you want to play Test cricket for India, you have to have patience in that too. I made my debut at the Ranji Trophy in 2014-15. It's been a long journey. There was a lot of hard work and sacrifices. But I had the belief that one day, I would definitely play for India, and for this achievement, my family has a big role to play in it.
My dad, who is a Ranji Trophy player, told me the same thing. You just have to have patience; things will automatically come to you," Saransh said.
Both Nabi and Saransh also recalled the moments they learnt about their India call-ups.
"When I got the call, I was driving to the temple. I saw the call and messages in between. That's when I got to know that I was selected," Saransh said.
Nabi added, "I was at the airport. We had to go to a camp in CoE, and I was about to board a flight to Bangalore. I got a call asking where I was. I told them that I was going to Bangalore and I was at the airport. They told me that I didn't have to go there; I had to come to Sri Lanka and that I was selected.”
"At first, I couldn't believe it. It was unexpected because the squad was already out. I was ready to work hard. I was going to the camp," Nabi added.