Aquib Nabi is a name to remember. The 28-year-old fast bowler from Jammu & Kashmir is making waves. His 2024-25 domestic season was incredible. He broke records in the Ranji Trophy. He stunned everyone in the Duleep Trophy. With his swing bowling and big wickets, Nabi is ready for the Indian team. Here’s why he’s knocking hard on India’s cricket door.
A Star from Baramulla
Nabi comes from Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir. Cricket wasn’t easy there. Facilities were poor. Travel was tough. He lived 10 kilometers from Baramulla. He traveled 72 kilometers to Srinagar for practice. That’s two hours each way. Yet, he never gave up. He started with tennis ball cricket. He learned to swing the ball. His hard work paid off. Now, he’s a domestic cricket hero.
Ranji Trophy: Breaking Records
The 2024-25 Ranji Trophy was Nabi’s stage. He took 44 wickets in 8 matches. That’s the most by any fast bowler. He beat Jammu & Kashmir’s old record of 38 wickets. His average was an amazing 13.08. He took six 5-wicket hauls. That shows he can destroy batting lineups.
Nabi got big players out. Against Mumbai, he took 6 wickets. He dismissed stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer. In the quarter-final against Kerala, he took 5 wickets for 36 runs. He got their top batsmen out early. His wickets helped Jammu & Kashmir reach the knockouts. Nabi wasn’t just good—he was unstoppable.
Duleep Trophy: Making History
Nabi’s Duleep Trophy debut was epic. Playing for North Zone against East Zone, he made history. He took 4 wickets in 4 balls. No one had done this in the Duleep Trophy before. He got a hat-trick, dismissing Virat Singh, Manishi, and Mukhtar Hussain. Then, he got Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal out next ball. He finished with 5 wickets for 28 runs. East Zone collapsed from 222 for 5 to 230 all out. Nabi’s spell won the match.
He also batted well. At number nine, he scored 44 runs off 33 balls. His quick runs helped North Zone reach 405. This showed he’s more than a bowler. He’s an all-rounder.
Why Nabi Stands Out
Nabi’s bowling is special. His coach, P. Krishna Kumar, compares him to Mohammed Shami. Nabi has a great wrist position. He swings the ball both ways. He’s accurate and smart. He can trick batsmen with his lines. Arshdeep Singh, a Team India bowler, was impressed. He saw Nabi take 7 wickets in 10 balls in practice. “This lad is special,” Arshdeep said.
Nabi’s stats are strong. In 28 first-class matches, he has 84 wickets. His average is 22.50. His economy is 3.04. He strikes every 44.4 balls. These numbers show he’s ready for Test cricket.
The IPL Snub: Not a Problem
Nabi hasn’t played in the IPL. He was unsold in auctions. This disappointed him. But IPL is different. It needs fast, short spells. Nabi is a red-ball expert. He shines in long games. His swing and control are perfect for Tests. Not playing IPL doesn’t mean he’s not good. It just means his skills fit Test cricket better.
Where Nabi Fits in Team India
India’s pace attack is strong. Jasprit Bumrah leads it. Mohammed Siraj is aggressive. Mohammed Shami swings the ball. But Shami is getting older. India needs a new swing bowler. Nabi is the perfect fit. His style is like Shami’s. He can move the ball both ways. He’s accurate and disciplined. His all-round skills add depth. He can bat in the lower order.
Compared to other bowlers like Mukesh Kumar or Akash Deep, Nabi’s record shines. His 44 wickets in one Ranji season are unmatched. His Duleep Trophy spell proved he can perform on big stages.
Time to Open the Door
Nabi’s case is clear. His 44 Ranji wickets broke records. His Duleep Trophy heroics made history. His swing bowling is world-class. He’s worked hard to get here. Coaches and players back him. The selectors must act. Nabi deserves a spot in India ‘A’. Then, he should join the Test team. India needs his skills. His journey from Baramulla to the top is inspiring. He’s not just knocking—he’s ready to walk through the door.
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