SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir cricket has witnessed a historic moment as 28-year-old speedster Auqib Nabi shattered records, claiming the highest number of wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season.
His tally of 43 wickets surpassed the previous record of 38 wickets set by former J&K captain Parvez Rasool in the 2016-17 season.
This achievement is even more special as Nabi now holds the highest wicket haul by a J&K fast bowler in over a decade. He broke the previous record of 35 wickets in nine matches held by former J&K pacer Samiullah Beigh.
A native of Baramulla in North Kashmir, Auqib has been a standout performer in the Ranji Trophy, grabbing headlines with his stellar bowling. Starting his cricket journey with tennis ball matches, he developed a sharp arsenal of inswingers and outswingers, which proved to be lethal on the field.
Despite grappling with limited training facilities and early career injuries, Nabi’s passion for cricket remained unwavering. Encouraged by seniors at the Baramulla Cricket Club, his discipline and focus propelled him through the ranks of domestic cricket.
His early cricketing career saw a breakthrough at the U-19 level, where he delivered an impressive five-wicket haul and scored a half-century against Punjab. During a match against Saurashtra’s U-19 team, he walked in after two early wickets and responded with a century, further proving his mettle.
His performances consistently drew large crowds, but convincing his family—who prioritized education—was a challenge. His father, a government teacher, once envisioned him pursuing medicine, but today beams with pride at his son’s cricketing exploits.
Lacking professional coaching or academy training in his formative years, Nabi carved his own path in cricket. His journey from casual matches with a tennis ball to a professional career was fueled by sheer determination. Repeated failures in selection trials did not deter him, and in 2018, his persistence bore fruit when he debuted in the prestigious Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Although an untimely injury cut his campaign short after just two matches, he made a strong comeback. In the following year, he reached a crucial milestone by making his Ranji Trophy debut against Jharkhand.
Despite going unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction, the right-arm pacer has channeled his energy into domestic cricket, delivering game-changing performances. His record-breaking feat was highlighted by a five-wicket haul against Kerala in the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals.
His fiery spell dismantled Kerala’s top order, dismissing Rohan Kunnummal (1), Shoun Roger (0), and captain Sachin Baby (2) within a few overs. He later sent Jalaj Saxena (67), Kerala’s top scorer, back to the pavilion, finishing with figures of 5 for 36 in 19 overs. His crucial 32-run contribution with the bat further helped restrict Kerala to 200, leaving them trailing by 80 runs.
Jammu and Kashmir’s cricket team has scripted an extraordinary comeback in this Ranji Trophy season. After a five-year absence, J&K has stormed back into contention with emphatic wins over domestic giants like Mumbai and Baroda.
A key player in this resurgence is Nabi, one of the few cricketers from Baramulla to establish himself in the Ranji Trophy circuit. His rise has coincided with J&K’s historic campaign, where the team reached the quarter-finals for only the third time in its 55-year Ranji history. These spirited performances mark a new era for J&K cricket, with Nabi leading the charge.
In a season dominated by spinners, Nabi has broken the trend, proving the impact of fast bowling. His ability to consistently trouble batters with pace, accuracy, and movement makes him a promising star for Indian domestic cricket. His record-breaking season cements his status as J&K’s premier fast bowler and a rising force in Indian cricket.
