In the long and storied history of the Ranji Trophy, few seasons have witnessed a performance as dominant, as transformative, and as statistically jaw-dropping as the one currently being produced by Jammu & Kashmir’s fast-bowling all-rounder, Auqib Nabi. The 2025-26 season will be remembered for many things, but perhaps none more significant than the emergence of Nabi as a bonafide superstar of Indian domestic cricket.
Auqib Nabi hasn’t just been effective; he has been devastating, a one-man wrecking ball that has single-handedly elevated J&K from competitive underdogs to historic Ranji Trophy finalists. His performance, a masterclass of skill, stamina, and big-match temperament, demands not just praise, but the immediate attention of the national selection committee.
Nabi’s numbers for the season are, quite simply, amazing. In just 9 matches (17 innings), he has claimed a monumental 58 wickets. To put this in perspective, he sits a single wicket behind the season’s leader, Uttarakhand’s left-arm spinner Mayank Mishra, having played two fewer matches.
While spinners often dominate the wicket-taking charts due to heavy workloads on wearing tracks, a fast bowler challenging for the top spot is a rare and special occurrence. Even more astonishing is his average of 12.46. In a sport where an average under 20 is considered elite, an average of 12.46 over a full season, encompassing diverse conditions and opposition, borders on the fictional.
This unprecedented statistical dominance is underpinned by unprecedented consistency. Nabi has registered an astonishing 6 five-wicket hauls this season, the most by any bowler. This isn’t a case of a bowler having one or two massive games to inflate their stats; it is the portrait of a bowler who is a relentless threat, innings after innings, match after match.
To understand the magnitude of his impact, one must look closely at the key moments that defined J&K’s fairytale run, moments where Nabi consistently delivered under immense pressure.
His breakthrough performance, one that signaled the beginning of this incredible purple patch, came in the group stages against Rajasthan in October 2025. This match perfectly showcased Nabi’s multifaceted value. With the bat, he showed defiance and unexpected skill, scoring a career-best 55 to push J&K to a position of strength. He then proceeded to dismantle the Rajasthan batting lineup, taking 3/29 and 7/24 with the ball. This all-round display secured a dominant innings victory and set a template for what was to come.
But it was in the knockout stages where Nabi truly cemented his legacy as a big-game player. In the Quarter-Final against powerhouse Madhya Pradesh, a team renowned for its batting depth, Nabi delivered perhaps the single most dominant bowling performance of the entire season.
He registered the second-best match figures of the tournament, taking a breathtaking 7/40 in the first innings to completely break the back of the MP batting order. He followed it up with 5/70 in the second, finishing with staggering match figures of 12/110. It was a performance that single-handedly dragged J&K through to the semi-finals, silencing skeptics and announcing him as a genuine match-winner.
The Semi-Final against Bengal presented a different challenge: a high-stakes, pressure-cooker environment against a team desperate to end their title drought. Once again, Nabi rose to the occasion, earning the well-deserved Player of the Match honors for an exceptional performance. He took 9 crucial wickets in the match (5/87 and 4/36), spearheading the attack with characteristic relentless precision.
However, this match again highlighted his importance with the bat. Batting at number nine in the first innings, with J&K in trouble, he scored a vital, counter-attacking 42 runs, a contribution that turned the tide of the match as much as his bowling did. It was this all-round excellence that proved to be the difference, securing J&K’s historic first-ever final appearance.
Now, as the Ranji Trophy final against heavyweight Karnataka is ongoing, Nabi has shown no signs of slowing down. He has already made a defining impact, taking 3/32 in a blistering 14-over opening spell. This wasn’t just any three wickets; he dismissed the international quality of KL Rahul, former Ranji-winning captain Karun Nair (with what was described as an unplayable delivery), and the tournament’s leading run-scorer Smaran Ravichandran, completely dismantling Karnataka’s formidable top order.
What makes Nabi so effective? He isn’t just a bowler who reliance on raw pace, although he possesses enough speed to cause discomfort. The core of his success lies in his flawless wrist position and his ability to hit the seam consistently. He bowls with a nagging, relentless accuracy, making batsmen play the “corridor of uncertainty” with a regularity that borders on the suffocating.
He manages to extract movement both in the air and off the pitch, challenging both edges of the bat. This skill, combined with a tireless engine and a strategic acumen that allows him to set up batsmen, makes him a threat in any condition. He has successfully taken wickets on docile pitches, spinning wickets, and green tops, showing remarkable adaptability.
While his bowling is undoubtedly his primary asset, his batting cannot be overlooked. His vital innings of 55 and 42 in high-pressure situations have highlighted a maturity and technique that belie his position in the lower order. He has the potential to develop into a genuine, functional all-rounder, a prized asset for any team. Having a number nine who can contribute significant runs is a luxury that few teams possess, and it adds an extra dimension of value to his profile.
| Match / Opponent | Batting | Bowling (Inning 1) | Bowling (Inning 2) | Total Wickets | Impact / Notes |
| vs. Services | 21 & 37 | 2/45 | 3/38 | 5 | Set the tone for a consistent season. |
| vs. Rajasthan | 55 | 3/29 | 7/24 | 10 | Career-best batting & bowling figures. |
| vs. Maharashtra | 6 | 2/40 | 1/32 | 3 | Provided key breakthroughs in the middle. |
| vs. Pondicherry | 0 | 1/45 | 3/18 | 4 | Cleaned up the tail in the second innings. |
| vs. Uttar Pradesh | 0 & 27 | 4/52 | 2/48 | 6 | Crucial wickets of top-order batsmen. |
| vs. Himachal Pradesh | 54 | 2/6 | 2/31 | 4 | All-round brilliance on a seamer-friendly track. |
| vs. Madhya Pradesh (QF) | 1 & 0 | 7/40 | 5/70 | 12 | 2nd best match figures of the season. |
| vs. Bengal (SF) | 42 | 5/87 | 4/36 | 9 | Player of the Match; led J&K to their first final. |
| vs. Karnataka (Final) | 2* | 3/32 | TBD | 5* | Dismissed KL Rahul and Karun Nair. |
| SEASON TOTAL | 245 Runs | — | — | 58 Wickets | Avg: 12.46 | 6 Five-Wicket Hauls |
The market has already reacted to his phenomenal season. Nabi secured a massive 8.40 crore INR IPL contract with the Delhi Capitals for the 2026 season. This astronomical price tag is a definitive valuation of his talent, confirmed by IPL talent scouts who recognized his unique skill set and massive potential.
But for all the excitement of the IPL and the historical achievement with Jammu & Kashmir, the ultimate goal for any Indian cricketer is the national team cap. The case for Auqib Nabi’s inclusion in the Indian Test squad is not just strong; it is arguably undeniable.
The Indian red-ball bowling attack, while robust with icons like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, is constantly seeking fresh blood and, crucially, variations. The recent departure of Mohammed Shami and workload management concerns mean India must expand its pace arsenal. The biggest gap in the current Test setup, however, is the lack of a reliable, pace-bowling all-rounder, a position vacated by Hardik Pandya’s white-ball focus. This is where Nabi fits perfectly.
He is not just a white-ball sensation; he is a proven red-ball match-winner. His ability to bowl long spells (as demonstrated by his work ethic in the Ranji Trophy) and extract wickets on subcontinent tracks makes him ideal for Test matches in India and abroad. His batting ability, allowing India to potentially field a four-pronged pace attack with Nabi at 8 or 9, offers invaluable team balance that has often been missing.
Critics might argue that domestic stats do not always translate to international success. However, Nabi has not just performed; he has dominated. He has taken the most difficult wickets (MP, Bengal, Karnataka) and delivered under the highest pressure of knockout cricket. He has shown the technical proficiency and mental fortitude required for the next level. In a sport defined by meritocracy, it is hard to argue that a bowler with his resume does not deserve at least an opportunity to prove himself at the highest level.
With upcoming Test series, including potential challenges against teams like England or a return tour to Australia, the timing is perfect. Nabi offers a ready-made solution, a bowler who is in the form of his life, technically sound, and psychologically prepared for the big occasion.
Auqib Nabi is a symbol of Jammu & Kashmir’s rising cricketing prowess, proving that talent knows no boundaries. Having conquered the Ranji Trophy like few before him, the next challenge is inevitable. The stage is set and the question is no longer “if” Auqib Nabi will play for India, but “when.” Given his current form and complete package, the answer should be: immediately.
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