Auqib Nabi Joins Team India Before IND vs AFG Test

Auqib Nabi [Source: X.con]

In an important update, Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi has joined the Indian team ahead of the one-off Test match against Afghanistan in Chandigarh.

Now that IPL 2026 has ended, the focus has shifted back to international cricket. Notably, India are set to host Afghanistan for only the second time in Test cricket. The tour will include a one-off Test match, followed by a three-match ODI series.

Team India Squad For Afghanistan Test Announced

While BCCI recently announced its squad for the Afghanistan series, one name that many expected to see was missing from the main list. Despite his outstanding domestic performances, Auqib Nabi was not included in the official Test squad.

Interestingly, the Indian selectors opted for Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar as the frontline pace options for the only Test.

Auqib Nabi Joins Team India As Backup Player

Meanwhile, a surprising development is that Auqib Nabi has been added to India's Test squad as a backup player for the Afghanistan Test. Notably, the one-off Test match starts on June 6, 2026 and will run through June 10, 2026.

According to a sports journalist Mohsin Kamal,  Auqib Nabi has joined the Indian Test squad to gain first-hand experience of the team environment. 

Furthermore, his inclusion is seen as an opportunity for the selectors and team management to assess him closely, with a view to potentially including him in India's upcoming overseas tours. 

Mohsin Kamal

@64MohsinKamal

BREAKING: Auqib Nabi joins India’s Test squad for the Afghanistan Test as a backup player. He has been included to gain first-hand experience of the Indian team environment, with an eye on potential inclusion in India’s upcoming tours. #INDvAFG

Auqib Nabi Enjoyed A Spectacular Domestic Season

Notably, Nabi has been one of the standout performers in Indian domestic cricket over the last year. The talented pacer was bought by Delhi Capitals for a massive ₹8.4 crore ahead of IPL 2026, highlighting the faith franchises have in his abilities.

Also Read: Auqib Nabi vs Gurnoor Brar: Decoding The Debate Of The Decade

It is worth mentioning that his domestic numbers have been exceptional. During the previous Ranji Trophy season, Nabi picked up 60 wickets at an incredible average of just 12.57. 

Moreover, he finished as the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy and played a crucial role in helping his team secure a historic title. Notably, Nabi was also named Player of the Series, with one of his most memorable performances being a five-wicket haul in the final against the mighty Karnataka.

Auqib Nabi's Impressive Performance In White-Ball Cricket

While Nabi initially made his name as a red-ball specialist, he has also shown impressive growth in white-ball cricket. In the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he claimed 15 wickets in seven matches. Additionally, he took 14 wickets in seven innings during the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 5.77.

However, his IPL 2026 campaign did not go as planned. Playing five innings for Delhi Capitals, Nabi failed to take a wicket and conceded runs at an economy rate of 11.46.

Despite that disappointing IPL season, he is expected to be one of the most exciting fast-bowling prospects in Indian cricket.

Also Read: Team India To Play Historic Series For The 1st Time