Auqib Nabi Joins India Test Camp as Net Bowler After Afghanistan Squad Snub

When the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar announced India’s squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, it faced a lot of criticism. Most of the debate was about one player, Auqib Nabi. The right-arm fast bowler had an outstanding Ranji Trophy season, taking 60 wickets in 10 matches, and many expected him to be selected.

The BCCI left him out of the squad, which disappointed many fans and experts. The Indian team, which continued with the same senior batting core, included new names in the bowling department. But Nabi wasn’t part of the list, as the likes of Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar were chosen to partner Mohammed Siraj in the non-WTC match.

India Add Auqib Nabi to Test Camp as Net Bowler

However, the team management has now eased some of the criticism, as reports suggest that Auqib Nabi has joined India’s Test squad ahead of the one-off match against Afghanistan on June 6. He is one of seven bowlers selected as net bowlers, helping the main squad prepare while also giving regular players some rest after a long and tiring IPL season.

Apart from Nabi and Ansari, the other bowlers chosen as India’s net bowlers are Prince Yadav, Gurjapneet Singh, Shivang Kumar, and Saransh Jain. Nabi’s selection is a good decision as the Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler has performed very well in domestic cricket and deserves recognition.

Since making his first-class debut in 2020, he has played 41 matches and taken 156 wickets, including 104 wickets in the last two seasons alone. He literally took his side to their maiden Ranji Trophy win, claiming the third-most wickets by a pacer in a season. His swing bowling was terrific to see as Nabi made batters dance on his tunes.

India’s squad for one-off Test vs Afghanistan: Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (VC), Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Dhruv Jurel (WK)

Auqib Nabi at 2025/26 domestic season