From borrowed spikes to India's Test squad: Auqib Nabi's rise
Fast bowler Auqib Nabi, who once played with borrowed shoes, has been named as Jasprit Bumrah's replacement in India's Test team for the Sri Lanka tour.
Auqib Nabi, a 29-year-old fast bowler from Baramulla in Jammu & Kashmir, has been added to India's Test squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka series, replacing the injured Jasprit Bumrah. His selection follows a prolific domestic spell, highlighted by 104 wickets across two Ranji Trophy campaigns and a six-wicket haul for India A on a recent Sri Lankan tour. Nabi's early cricketing days involved tennis-ball games and borrowing spikes for his first U-19 trial, with long commutes to Srinagar for turf practice shaping his work ethic.
Under the guidance of bowling coach P. Krishnakumar, he expanded his skill set from a sole outswinger to a reliable inswing and a scrambled seam delivery. Despite an uneventful IPL debut for the Delhi Capitals, he secured an eight-point-four-crore contract and intends to invest his earnings in a Baramulla academy to nurture local talent. His story underscores a philosophy of rejecting excuses and focusing on daily improvement.
Why it matters
Nabi's selection highlights talent rising from under-resourced regions and adds depth to India's fast-bowling options.
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