Who is Aquib Nabi, Jammu and Kashmir cricketer making waves in Ranji Trophy
Srinagar, Feb 10: Jammu & Kashmir’s cricketing history has witnessed a remarkable milestone, as the 28-year-old pacer Auqib Nabi set a new record for the most wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season. His 43 wickets surpassed the previous record of 38 wickets held by former J&K captain Parvez Rasool from the 2016-17 season.
This feat is particularly special as it also marks the highest wicket tally by a J&K pacer in over a decade. Nabi eclipsed the previous best set by fast bowler Samiullah Beigh, who had taken 35 wickets in nine matches.
Journey from Baramulla to Ranji trophy
Auqib, a talented cricketer from Baramulla in north Kashmir, has been making headlines in the Ranji Trophy with his remarkable performances. Growing up playing tennis ball cricket, Auqib developed a mix of inswingers and outswingers as a lethal attack in the field.
Despite the challenges of limited infrastructure and early injuries, Auqib’s dedication to cricket never wavered. Encouraged by his seniors at Baramulla Cricket Club, his ability to stay focused and disciplined has been a key to his rise in domestic cricket.
His professional cricket began in Baramulla, and at the U19 level, he took a five-wicket haul and a half-century against Punjab. Against Saurashtra’s U19 team, he was sent in after two quick wickets and responded with a century. His performances consistently attracted crowds. Despite initial resistance from his family, who prioritized academics, Auqib’s performances have won their wholehearted support. His father, a government teacher, once wanted him to pursue medicine, but is now all proud about him.
Young Cricketer Dar's Inspiring Rise Against the Odds
Dar has carved out a name for himself despite lacking formal coaching or training at an academy in initial years. His journey, which began with casual tennis-ball matches lead to a serious pursuit of the sport. His own initial attempts at selection trials also ended in disappointment, but his perseverance paid off in 2018 when he finally made a debut in the prestigious Vijay Hazare Trophy. Though an untimely injury cut short his early run after just two matches, Dar bounced back stronger. The following year, he achieved a significant milestone in his career by making his Ranji Trophy debut against Jharkhand.
Praise from Former Star
Samiullah Beigh, a revered fast bowler from J&K, expressed his admiration for Auqib Nabi’s achievement. In a social media post, Beigh noted the immense challenge for fast bowlers to maintain such high performance levels across matches. He highlighted how pacers, unlike spinners, are heavily reliant on their captain’s trust and workload management. Beigh praised Nabi’s fitness, control over line and length, and sharp bowling intelligence.
Dominating the Quarter-Final Against Kerala
After going unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction, right-arm pacer seems to have shifted his focus entirely to domestic cricket, delivering exceptional performances. Nabi’s record-breaking performance was accompanied by a sensational five-wicket haul against Kerala in the quarter-final. His fiery spell saw him dismantle the opposition’s top order, removing Rohan Kunnummal (1), Shoun Roger (0), and Kerala captain Sachin Baby (2) within the first few overs only. He later dismissed Jalaj Saxena (67), Kerala’s top scorer. His final figures of 5 for 36 in 19 overs kept Kerala under pressure, restricting them to 200/9 at stumps on Day 2. Nabi also made a vital contribution with 32 reducing Kerala to 200 and leaving them 80 runs behind.
J&K's Ranji Trophy Resurgence: Dar Leads the Charge
Jammu and Kashmir's cricket team has scripted a remarkable turnaround in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, with their performance. After a five-year absence, J&K has stormed back into contention with impressive victories over domestic heavyweights like Mumbai and Baroda. A key figure in this resurgence is Dar, one of the few players from Baramulla to have cemented his place in the Ranji Trophy setup. His rise has paralleled the team's resurgence, adding to the squad’s overall tally. For a team that has reached the quarter-finals only three times in its 55-year Ranji Trophy history, this season’s progress is historic. The spirited performances and crucial wins signal a new era for J&K cricket, with Dar leading from the front.
A Bright Future Ahead
Auqib Nabi’s achievement cements his status as one of J&K’s premier pacers, and his performances in this Ranji Trophy season indicate a bright future. In this season of Ranji trophy where spinners largely dominated, Dar broke the trend with his stellar performance. His ability to consistently trouble opposition batters with pace, accuracy, and skill makes him a promising talent for domestic cricket.
