Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi made his international debut after being named in India’s playing XI for the second ODI against the West Indies.
“Another dream come true in blue. Congratulations to Auqib Nabi as he receives his ODI debut cap from vice-captain KL Rahul,” the BCCI posted on its official social media handle.
The cricketer from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir received his maiden ODI cap ahead of the second ODI between India and the West Indies at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati, Assam.
It was a historic moment for Jammu and Kashmir cricket as Nabi, who played a key role in J&K’s victory in the Ranji Trophy final, represented the Indian senior men’s national cricket team in the ongoing bilateral series.
Nabi’s perseverance and impressive performances in domestic cricket finally paid off as he received his maiden ODI cap from vice-captain KL Rahul during India’s team huddle.
The J&K cricketer’s inclusion was the only change in India’s playing XI. The team management opted to test his capabilities in the crucial ODI.
Notably, India handed a debut to a player in each of the first two matches of the series. Naman Dhir made his debut in the first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram, while Nabi made his India debut in the second ODI.
The Baramulla-born pacer became the third cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to represent India at the international level, following Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik.
Popularly known as the “Baramulla Express”, Nabi has risen through the ranks on the back of consistent performances in domestic cricket before making his mark during his recent stint in county cricket.
His maiden India call-up marked another significant milestone in the pacer’s career and added to the growing list of J&K cricketers who have reached the international stage.
Nabi’s inclusion in the playing XI also meant that he would miss J&K’s Irani Cup clash against the Rest of India, beginning Thursday at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar.
Nabi played a key role in Jammu and Kashmir’s historic Ranji Trophy triumph. He finished the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season as the leading wicket-taker, claiming 60 wickets. His tally was the seventh-highest by any bowler in a single edition of the Ranji Trophy and the third-highest among fast bowlers.
Nabi became the first J&K bowler to claim more than 50 wickets in a single edition of the Ranji Trophy. He is also the first J&K bowler to top the bowling charts in a Ranji Trophy season.
