Mudasir Maqbool
J&K pacer rewarded for domestic performances; set to join Shubman Gill-led squad for West Indies series
New Delhi : Jammu and Kashmir-born fast bowler Auqib Nabi has earned his maiden call up to India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three match home series against the West Indies marking a significant milestone in the 29 year old pacer’s cricketing journey.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad on September 16 naming Nabi among the 15 players selected for the ODI series.
India will begin the series against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, followed by matches in Guwahati on September 30 and New Chandigarh on October 3.
Nabi’s selection comes after a series of strong performances in domestic cricket, where the Baramulla born pacer has steadily made a name for himself.
His rise also earned him a place in the India A squad for the multi-day matches against Sri Lanka earlier this year.
The pacer’s emergence has added another chapter to Jammu and Kashmir’s growing contribution to Indian cricket. Nabi’s journey from the domestic circuit to the national squad reflects the pathway through which performances at the first-class and India A levels can translate into international opportunities.
His maiden ODI call-up also comes alongside a return to the squad for senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Shubman Gill will captain the ODI side, with KL Rahul named vice-captain.
India’s ODI squad for the West Indies series comprises Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (VC), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Naman Dhir.
For Nabi, the selection marks a major step in his journey and puts him on the national stage as another cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to break through after making an impression in domestic cricket.
