Former India batter Dilip Vengsarkar has criticized the national selection panel for consistently overlooking top-performing domestic talent.
Vengsarkar argued that if consistent match-winners in domestic tournaments do not get national call-ups, playing premier red-ball events like the Ranji Trophy loses its core purpose.
He specifically cited the handling of Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi, who has taken over 100 wickets across two Ranji Trophy seasons but is yet to receive his debut India cap.
In fact, Nabi was the standout performer of the 2025-26 season, picking up 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.
While Nabi received his maiden India call-up during the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka after Jasprit Bumrah failed to recover from his knee injury, he didn’t get a chance to feature in the playing XI.
"If you feel that these domestic games are not criteria for selection to the Indian team, then scrap the Ranji Trophy. Don’t play the Ranji Trophy. Why do you want to play it? These players are working hard. They are winning matches. They are taking wickets. If they are not rewarded with an India cap, then it is a waste of time," Vengsarkar said while speaking on RevSportz.
"There is another guy called Auqib Nabi, who did so well for Jammu and Kashmir. He almost single-handedly helped them win the Ranji Trophy. I think these players should be given an opportunity because he has taken more than 100 wickets in two seasons. That’s a hell of a lot of wickets," he added.
With some of India’s first-choice players unavailable due to the Asian Games commitment, Auqib Nabi recently earned his maiden ODI call-up for the upcoming home series against the West Indies. However, it remains to be seen whether he gets an opportunity in the starting XI or not.
Vengsarkar also advocated for the immediate return of veteran pacer Mohammad Shami to the Test squad for India's upcoming series against New Zealand.
Shami had claimed 37 wickets in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 at an average of under 17. He recently helped East Zone clinch the Duleep Trophy title, taking seven wickets in three outings.
"I don’t know why Shami has been sidelined, to be honest with you. He has done extremely well in domestic cricket as well as international cricket. He is a very good bowler, and he should be an integral part of the Indian team. Shami should be in the Test squad for the New Zealand series. I don’t know why he is out of the team," Vengsarkar remarked.
Shami has not played for India since the Champions Trophy in March 2025, while his last Test appearance dates back to June 2023.
