Sourav Ganguly Champions Auqib Nabi for National Team Selection
Former India captain and cricket legend Sourav Ganguly has publicly endorsed Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi for a place in the national squad. This endorsement comes immediately after Nabi's exceptional performance in the Ranji Trophy final against Karnataka at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground on Friday.
Dominant Display in the Summit Clash
Auqib Nabi delivered a match-defining spell, returning impressive figures of 5 wickets for 54 runs across 23 overs. His devastating bowling attack was instrumental in bowling Karnataka out for a total of 293 runs. This effort secured a substantial first-innings lead of 291 runs for Jammu and Kashmir in the prestigious domestic final.
Nabi's performance this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. He currently leads the Ranji Trophy wicket-taking charts with a remarkable tally of 60 wickets in just 10 matches. His bowling average stands at an impressive 12.56, and he has achieved seven five-wicket hauls throughout the campaign, demonstrating remarkable consistency and skill.
Ganguly's Specific Recommendation for England Tour
In a detailed post on social media platform X, Sourav Ganguly made a specific recommendation for the talented pacer. Ganguly suggested that Auqib Nabi should be seriously considered for India's upcoming white-ball tour of England scheduled for July 2026. During this tour, the Indian team is set to play five T20 International matches and three One Day Internationals.
This England series holds particular significance as it forms a crucial part of India's preparation strategy for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be hosted in South Africa. Ganguly emphasized the importance of this opportunity for Nabi's development on the international stage.
"Jammu and Kashmir has demonstrated to the world what genuine effort and strong intent can achieve," Ganguly wrote in his social media post. "They have made their entire region immensely proud. Challenging environments inevitably create resilient individuals. Auqib Nabi is clearly on his path to earning national colors. The England tour this summer represents the perfect starting point for his international career."
Historic Title Within Reach for Jammu and Kashmir
With only a few remaining sessions in the Ranji Trophy final, cricket analysts predict that a draw is the most likely outcome. Should this occur, Jammu and Kashmir would secure their maiden Ranji Trophy championship title based on their substantial first-innings lead. This would mark a historic achievement for the team and their region.
Dinesh Karthik's High Praise for Nabi's Season
Former India wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has also expressed profound admiration for Auqib Nabi's outstanding domestic season. Karthik noted that Nabi has participated in every single match for his team and delivered exceptional performances across diverse playing conditions and surfaces.
"After closely following this Ranji Trophy campaign, one thing I can state with absolute certainty is that for all young aspiring cricketers who dream of representing their country, they should look to emulate the AAQIB NABI approach," Karthik wrote on X. "I cannot recall any fast bowler or player in recent memory achieving what he has accomplished this season."
Karthik further elaborated on Nabi's contributions, stating, "This has been a story of complete domination from the beginning to the end. He has almost single-handedly propelled his team to victory in the most important domestic tournament, which serves as the primary pathway to national selection."
He highlighted Nabi's exceptional physical fitness throughout the demanding campaign, his ability to bowl extended spells consistently, and his adaptability to different soil conditions and varying weather patterns. "Whether the pitch offered assistance to fast bowlers or not, Nabi remained a constant threat for his team, maintaining unwavering belief every time he took the ball to make crucial breakthroughs for his side," Karthik added.
In his concluding remarks, Karthik expressed, "Hats off to you, AAQIB. You are an absolute champion, and I sincerely hope you receive all the success that rightfully comes your way. May your journey serve as a powerful lesson on how to break through barriers with sheer determination, exceptional skill, and remarkable resilience."
The cricketing community now eagerly watches whether the national selectors will heed these strong endorsements from two of India's most respected cricket figures as they plan for future international assignments.
