Now Reading: Auqib Nabi becomes first cricketer from Kashmir to earn India Test call-up
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Auqib Nabi becomes first cricketer from Kashmir to earn India Test call-up
Auqib Nabi, a 29-year-old all-rounder from Baramulla district, has become the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to earn a call-up to India's Test squad. He replaces Jasprit Bumrah for the two-match series against Sri Lanka beginning 15 August.
The son of a schoolteacher, Auqib initially faced family resistance but persisted, travelling 70 km daily to practice in Srinagar. After his Ranji Trophy debut in 2020, he took 60 wickets in 10 matches during the 2024-25 season, leading J&K to their maiden Ranji Trophy title. His performances earned him an Rs 8.4 crore IPL contract with Delhi Capitals.
Former India all-rounder Parvez Rasool called the call-up a historic moment for cricket in the region, which has faced limited infrastructure and few opportunities. Auqib's father said he never lost hope that his son's time would come.
Indian Opinion Analysis
This milestone underlines a deeper structural shift in Indian cricket: the Board of Control for Cricket in India's expansion of talent pathways beyond traditional metros. For decades, J&K cricketers had no Ranji Trophy platform until the team was readmitted in 2002 after a 55-year gap. Auqib's arc, from a village without spike shoes to a Rs 8.4 crore IPL contract, mirrors the growing return on investment in regional cricket infrastructure and cash incentives for domestic performers. The real test now is whether J&K can retain its stars: better-paid IPL contracts and state neglect have historically drained talent from smaller associations. Next watch: Auqib's debut performance and whether J&K's Ranji title triggers a sustained talent pipeline rather than a one-off outlier.
Source: bbc.co.uk
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
