Narendra Modi Auqib Nabi. Image Credits: AFP/Delhi Capitals
The IPL 2026 auction presented Auqib Nabi, a consistent domestic performer, with an opportunity of a lifetime as he was swooped in by the Delhi Capitals for a whopping INR 8.40 crore.
After Auqib Nabi's name came in the auction, with the base price of 30 lakh, teams like the Rajasthan Royals and the Sunrisers Hyderabad were among the bidders. Despite fierce competition, the DC did not budge and won the battle to get his services.
Following his first IPL contract, he went on to play an integral part in Jammu and Kashmir's maiden Ranji Trophy title win, scalping 60 wickets in the season. His achievements were recognised by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he addressed the nation on Sunday, March 29.
PM Modi speaks about DC's Auqib Nabi
During his latest Mann Ki Baat episode, where the PM addresses the nation, he congratulated the Jammu and Kashmir team for winning their maiden Ranji Trophy title after a long wait. During the speech, he spoke about captain Paras Dogra as well as Auqib Nabi's brilliance with the ball, terming them an inspiration for the coming generations.
"Last month, an interesting match was witnessed in Karnataka's Hubballi, where Jammu and Kashmir's cricket team won the Ranji Trophy. The most gratifying aspect is that after a long wait of seven decades, this team won its first Ranji Trophy title. This unprecedented success is the result of years of continuous efforts by the players," he said.
"Team captain Paras Dogra displayed exemplary skill. Today, the performance of young Kashmiri bowler Auquib Nabi, who took 60 wickets in the Ranji season, is also being discussed across the country."
"After this exemplary performance on the cricket ground, enthusiasm has increased among the youth there. In the coming days, this will inspire many young people to take up sports," Modi concluded.
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Auqib Nabi's near-perfect domestic season ahead of IPL 2026
The 29-year-old right-arm quick from Jammu and Kashmir has been among the top fast bowlers in the nation for a couple of seasons now. He was instrumental in taking JK to their first Ranji Trophy quarter-final in the 2024/25 season, where he was the second-highest wicket-taker of the season with 44 wickets in 15 innings.
He later went on to go a step further in season 2025/26, with 6 wickets in 10 innings, including a whopping 7 five-wicket hauls, creating several records to lift the title.
In white-ball cricket, just days ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, he picked 15 wickets in 9 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20) at an economy rate of just over 8 runs per over. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy (One Day), he scalped another 14 wickets in 7 matches at an economy rate of 4.47, further improving his white-ball credentials.
Auqib Nabi was instrumental in DC's success in IPL 2026
Ahead of IPL 2026, the Capitals received the dreaded news of Mitchell Starc's unavailability for the first half of the season. Starc was among the first-choice starters and the leader of the DC bowling attack. The team now looks at the alternatives to replace him.
Auqib Nabi, who is a crafty new ball bowler, with an ability to move the ball both ways, will now be a crucial factor in the powerplay, if DC want to do well in the initial part of the season. Lungi Ngidi and Dushmantha Chameera both like to operate in the second half of the innings, which makes Nabi's role in the powerplay even more crucial.
They begin their campaign against the Lucknow Super Giants on April 1, away from home, and Nabi is highly likely to make his IPL debut for the Capitals in the game.
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