Top 3 IPL Teams Likely to Target Auqib Nabi in the 2026 Auction

Fast bowler Auqib Nabi from Jammu & Kashmir has been one of the top players in domestic cricket this season due to his excellent performance throughout the duration of the 2025–26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). He has maintained a solid run of three victories in five attempts and has taken 11 wickets at an average of 13.54, a strike rate of 10.27 and an economic rate of 7.91, making him the top recruitment option for his franchise from Jammu & Kashmir.

He can be noted that he can took early breakthroughs, with his best performance against Bihar putting him at 4 wickets for 16 runs. With the IPL 2026 auction being held in Abu Dhabi on December 16th, Auqib Nabi is likely to appear on many teams target lists seeking to get the fast-bowling player in India. Below are 3 franchises that should seriously thinking to get the 29-year-old fast bowler.

Delhi Capitals

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Delhi Capitals Founded: 2008

Delhi Capitals, formerly known as Delhi Daredevils, are a cricket team in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Delhi Capitals (DC) need to fill the pace bowler spot by Mohit Sharma after he retired as a professional cricketer by finding a dependable Indian seamer. DC are currently using Mukesh Kumar and T. Natarajan as their only two Indian fast bowlers but both have struggled at times except for Mukesh's 12 wickets in IPL 2025; his economy rate of over 10 runs per over is a significant concern for Mukesh also has had some poor outings in recent SMAT performances with scores of 1 for 41 & 0 for 53, indicating that he may not be in good form yet.

Although Natarajan returned from a season heavily affected by injury (that saw him bowl just 3 overs in total), he did show some improvement in SMAT but is still struggling with his recovery to full match fitness. Since Mitchell Starc and Dushmantha Chameera make up the overseas pace attack for DC, DC needs a consistent Indian fast bowler to complement them and to give DC flexibility in their pace bowling options. Auqib Nabi is a great addition for DC because of his new-ball skills and ability to apply pressure, allowing him to potentially form a good partnership with Starc at the start of a innings.

Rajasthan Royals

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Rajasthan Royals Founded: 2008

Rajasthan Royals is a cricket franchise that debuted in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008.

Next, the Rajasthan Royals who finished ninth in IPL 2025 are completely modifying a team that is currently made up of players like Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, as well as Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, and Kwena Maphaka, who form a very strong overseas pace attack. However, they do not yet have a reliable Indian pace unit to match their overseas speed attack.

Sandeep Sharma has been consistent in domestic competitions, while Tushar Deshpande and Yudhvir Singh Charak struggled last year. Auqib Nabi would add to the Rajasthan Royals' strength in the new ball by providing a respectable Indian option capable of taking wickets and keeping pressure on the opposition with the new ball.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

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Sunrisers Hyderabad Founded: 2012

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) is an Indian Premier League (IPL) team owned by Kalanithi Maran and Sun TV Network.

Having traded away Mohammad Shami and let go of Simarjeet Singh, SunRisers Hyderabad is looking to improve their weak Indian seam bowling attack. The team possesses some excellent overseas bowlers in Pat Cummins, Brydon Carse, and Eshan Malinga, but the limited number of overseas players included in the XI will limit the number of Indian bowling options available.

While Harshal Patel's role is expected to be limited to death bowling, and Jaydev Unadkat to middle-over bowling, SunRisers Hyderabad needs a reliable option to take the new ball. Auqib Nabi has shown through domestic performance that he is consistently taking wickets. This will complement their overseas bowlers and provide much-needed depth in the powerplay.

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by Dwijesh December 6, 2025