Auqib Nabi Joins India as Net Bowler for Afghanistan Test: The Story Behind a Snub That Became a Second Chance
There is something quietly painful about being the best performer in your country's domestic cricket circuit and still not making it into the Test squad. Auqib Nabi Dar knows exactly how that feels. And yet, the very team that overlooked him has now called him in through a different door.
On June 2, 2026, the BCCI confirmed that the Jammu and Kashmir right-arm seamer has been asked to join India's Test squad as a net bowler ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan, scheduled to begin June 6 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in New Chandigarh, also known as Mullanpur.
Who Is Auqib Nabi and Why Was His Non-Selection Such a Talking Point?
The 29-year-old pacer from Baramullah, Kashmir, has picked up a whopping 104 wickets in just 18 matches across two Ranji seasons at an average of 13.14. Those are numbers that make selectors sit up and pay attention. Or at least they should.
Nabi was a strong contender for the Test squad after his impressive performances for Jammu and Kashmir in the last couple of seasons, especially in their maiden Ranji Trophy triumph earlier this year. He was the leading wicket-taker, taking 60 wickets at an average of 12.56, and was named the Player of the Tournament.
Sixty wickets. Player of the Tournament. And a title-winning campaign that put Jammu and Kashmir cricket on the national map for the first time. By any reasonable measure, this was the kind of domestic performance that earns a Test debut.
But he failed to make the cut as the selectors picked only three seamers: Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said at the time, "You do not necessarily pick a lot of seamers when you pick a Test team in India."
Fair point, technically. But the cricketing public was not entirely convinced.
What Exactly Does a Net Bowler Do, and Why Does It Matter?
A net bowler is not a squad member. They do not play in the match. Their job is to bowl at the batters in practice, replicating opposition bowlers so India's batting lineup gets specific, relevant preparation.
A BCCI source privy to the development told PTI that both Siraj and Prasidh played Qualifier 1, Qualifier 2, and the IPL final in gruelling conditions, and due to extreme weather, the two premier fast bowlers cannot go flat out in the nets after a demanding schedule with considerable travel. The batters would need adequate practice.
So Auqib Nabi and five other cricketers were brought in to fill that gap. It is a logistical call. But it is also, whatever anyone says, an acknowledgment that Auqib belongs in proximity to this setup.
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Who Else Joined as Net Bowlers for the Afghanistan Test?
Besides Auqib, wiry UP leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari, who plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, was also asked to bowl in the nets as the Afghanistan team is expected to have a few wrist spinners. The other players called to bowl in the camp are left-arm wrist spinner Shivang Kumar, left-arm pacer Gurjapneet Singh, find of IPL Prince Yadav, and off-spinner Saransh Jain.
Each of these names mirrors something specific about Afghanistan's bowling attack, giving India's batters a chance to face similar variations in practice before the actual match.
The Bigger Picture: India vs Afghanistan Test, Second Time Ever
This is only the second Test taking place between India and Afghanistan. The other was back in 2018 in Bengaluru, Afghanistan's inaugural Test, which India won by an innings and 262 runs inside two days.
Eight years later, Afghanistan cricket has grown considerably. Their spin attack in particular has become a genuine threat at the international level, which explains why spinners like Zeeshan Ansari and Shivang Kumar were specifically included in the net bowling group.
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Closing Thoughts
Being called in as a net bowler after a season like Auqib Nabi's is not the debut he deserved. But it is a presence. And cricket has a long memory when players use every opportunity, even the unglamorous ones, to make themselves impossible to ignore.
He has 104 wickets in 18 first-class matches at 13.14. That will not stay overlooked forever.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information available across the web. Parchar Manch does not take responsibility for its complete accuracy, as the content could not be fully verified.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information available across the web. Parchar Manch does not take responsibility for its complete accuracy, as the content could not be fully verified.
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FAQs
Who is Auqib Nabi Dar?
Auqib Nabi Dar is a 29-year-old right-arm medium pacer from Baramullah, Jammu and Kashmir. He plays domestic cricket for J and K and represented Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026. He is known for taking 104 wickets in 18 first-class matches across two Ranji seasons.
Why was Auqib Nabi not selected in India's Test squad?
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that India does not typically pick a large number of seamers for home Test conditions. The three seamers chosen were Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar.
What is the role of a net bowler in cricket?
A net bowler practices with the main squad but does not play in official matches. Their job is to bowl at the batters during training sessions, replicating the opposition's bowling style so the team gets relevant match preparation.
When and where is the India vs Afghanistan Test 2026?
The one-off Test begins June 6, 2026, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in New Chandigarh, also known as Mullanpur. It runs until June 10.
Who are the other net bowlers called up alongside Auqib Nabi?
The other five net bowlers are: Gurjapneet Singh (left-arm pacer), Prince Yadav (right-arm medium pacer), Zeeshan Ansari (leg-spinner), Shivang Kumar (left-arm wrist spinner), and Saransh Jain (off-spinner).
Why could Siraj and Prasidh Krishna not bowl in the nets themselves?
Both fast bowlers had a gruelling IPL 2026 schedule, playing three high-intensity playoff matches in five days with significant travel. The management chose to protect them from the additional strain of bowling flat out in practice, especially in extreme heat.