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.
