Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir pace sensation Auqib Nabi has taken another major step towards his India debut after earning his maiden call-up to the senior ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against the West Indies.
The call-up comes at a particularly significant moment for the 29-year-old seamer, who continued to make an impression in English county cricket by claiming a four-wicket haul for Surrey in the County Championship just a day before his India selection was announced.
Nabi returned figures of 4 for 36 against Glamorgan at The Oval on Tuesday, September 15, helping Surrey bowl their opponents out for 132. It was another impressive outing in what has been a rapidly developing international season for the J&K pacer.
On Wednesday, the reward arrived.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named Nabi in India’s 15-member ODI squad for the West Indies series, with Shubman Gill as captain and KL Rahul as vice-captain. Nabi is one of two players, alongside Punjab all-rounder Naman Dhir, to receive a maiden call-up to the ODI side.
For Nabi, the selection represents another significant chapter in a remarkable rise from domestic cricket in Jammu and Kashmir to the doorstep of international cricket.
Another opportunity after Test disappointment
Nabi had already come agonisingly close to making his India debut earlier this year.
After his outstanding domestic season, the J&K seamer was called up to India’s Test squad for the series against Sri Lanka. However, despite being part of the squad, he did not feature in either Test. India instead went with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna among their pace options.
That disappointment has now been followed by another opportunity — this time in the 50-over format.
The ODI call-up gives Nabi another chance to make his international debut, with India scheduled to play the West Indies in three ODIs beginning September 27.
The first ODI will be played in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, followed by matches in Guwahati on September 30 and New Chandigarh on October 3.
Surrey stint adding to Nabi’s credentials
Nabi’s current county stint with Surrey has provided another important platform for the J&K pacer to demonstrate his ability in English conditions.
He joined Surrey for the final phase of the County Championship season and has already made an impact. Against Yorkshire earlier this month, he picked up wickets in both innings, including the wicket of India spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the first innings. He finished the match with 2 for 50 as Surrey secured a one-wicket victory.
His latest performance against Glamorgan was even more eye-catching, with Nabi claiming four wickets for 36 runs from 10 overs as Surrey’s bowling attack dominated a difficult opening day at The Oval.
The timing of that performance could hardly have been better.
From J&K cricket to India’s ODI squad
Nabi’s rise has been built on a standout domestic season with Jammu and Kashmir.
He was among the leading performers in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, finishing the tournament with 60 wickets, a performance that brought him firmly into the national selection conversation.
His progress subsequently took him into the India A setup before his Test call-up and now his first ODI selection.
The West Indies series could therefore represent another opportunity for the J&K pacer to complete the next step of his journey — from being named in an India squad to actually wearing the India jersey on the international stage.
For Jammu and Kashmir cricket, Nabi’s inclusion is another significant moment, and the focus will now turn to whether the seamer gets the opportunity to make his much-awaited India debut.
India’s ODI squad for West Indies
Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (vice-captain), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Naman Dhir.
The three-match ODI series begins in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27.
