Srinagar: The exclusion of Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi from India’s squad for the upcoming Afghanistan Test series has triggered strong reactions across the cricketing fraternity, with PDP leader and former J&K Sports Council Secretary Waheed Ur Rehman Parra terming the decision “truly shocking.”
The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Tuesday announced India’s squads for the multi-format Afghanistan series scheduled immediately after the conclusion of the ongoing IPL season. However, the omission of Auqib Nabi — one of the standout performers in domestic cricket over the past two seasons — has become one of the biggest talking points.
Taking to X, Waheed Parra questioned the selectors’ decision to overlook the young J&K fast bowler despite his remarkable achievements.
“Aqib Nabi, the man behind J&K’s historic Ranji Trophy success after 67 years, Player of the Match, IPL-selected, and praised by PMO India, HMO India, CM, and cricket fans across India has surprisingly been dropped from the India team in the list released by BCCI today. Truly shocking,” Parra wrote.
Auqib Nabi played a pivotal role in Jammu & Kashmir’s historic Ranji Trophy-winning campaign earlier this year, finishing as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker with 60 wickets at an astonishing average of 12.56. Across the last two domestic seasons, the young pacer has claimed 111 wickets, establishing himself as one of the country’s most consistent red-ball bowlers.
Despite his impressive domestic performances and earning an IPL opportunity with Delhi Capitals, Nabi failed to secure a place in either the Test or ODI squads against Afghanistan.
Former India cricketer Dodda Ganesh also slammed the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar, calling Nabi’s omission “beyond shocking.”
“No Auqib Nabi? This is beyond shocking. My heart goes out to the young man. Please don’t lose heart,” Dodda Ganesh posted on X.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar admitted that Nabi was “close” to selection but said the team management opted to stick with only three seamers for the lone home Test against Afghanistan.
“There is no doubt he has had some incredible performances for Jammu and Kashmir, but we have gone with the three seamers we picked,” Agarkar said during the press conference.
The squad announcement also witnessed several major decisions, including the removal of Rishabh Pant as vice-captain in Tests and his exclusion from the ODI squad. KL Rahul has been named vice-captain in the Test setup, while Ishan Kishan returns as backup wicketkeeper in ODIs.
Senior players including Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel have been rested for the series, while youngsters such as Gurnoor Brar, Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey received maiden Test call-ups.
India will play the one-off Test against Afghanistan national cricket team from June 6 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, followed by a three-match ODI series in Dharamsala, Lucknow and Chennai.
