Auqib Nabi Narendra Modi. Image Credits: X/AFP
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently named a strong 15-player India squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan. Much to everyone’s surprise, Auqib Nabi failed to make a cut into the national side despite his prolific performance in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season for Jammu and Kashmir.
In 10 matches of the tournament, the promising Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler picked up 60 wickets, which included a title-clinching five-wicket haul in the final against Karnataka back in February. Auqib’s exclusion from Team India has now taken an ugly political turn.
A Jammu and Kashmir politician, Waheed Para, recently called out the BCCI for not including the 29-year-old fast bowler, all while mentioning Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his expressive social media post.
J&K politician calls out Mithun Manhas and Jay Shah for Auqib snub
A J&K politician, Waheed Para of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party, recently called out BCCI President Mithun Manhas and ICC Chairman Jay Shah over the exclusion of Auqib Nabi from the national side.
Taking to X, the politician also recalled the time when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself praised Auqib after Jammu and Kashmir clinched the historic 2025-26 Ranji Trophy title.
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Waheed Para wrote “Aqib Nabi, the man behind J&K’s historic Ranji Trophy success after 67 years, Player of the Match, IPL-selected, and praised by Indian Prime Minister, Home Minister and CM and cricket fans across India has surprisingly been dropped from the India team in the list released by BCCI today. Truly shocking FYI, @MithunManhas @JayShah.”
Auqib Nabi’s Ranji Trophy success and IPL 2026 contract
Auqib Nabi picked up 60 wickets in just 17 innings spanning 10 matches for the Jammu and Kashmir team in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season. The speedster held an exceptional bowling average of 12.56, and picked up seven five-wicket hauls in the process.
Even in the final against Karnataka in Hubli, the 29-year-old claimed figures of 5-54 to ensure Jammu and Kashmir boasted a strong first innings lead of 291 runs.
Auqib Nabi was also roped in by the Delhi Capitals franchise for the IPL 2026 season. However, the right-arm quick has so far failed to translate his Ranji Trophy success in the Indian T20 carnival, considering he is yet to pick a single wicket in his four appearances.
BCCI name three debutants, KL Rahul promoted
Auqib Nabi’s exclusion aside, the BCCI did name three potential debutants for the one-off Test in the form of Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar and Manav Suthar. Among senior members, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was also dropped from the team, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar explaining that the cricketer has been rested.
KL Rahul was handed India’s vice-captaincy even though Rishabh Pant led the side last year during the absence of an injured Shubman Gill. Here is a look at the entire India squad for the home Afghanistan Test next month.
India squad for Afghanistan Test
Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vc), Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey and Dhruv Jurel
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