Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) fairytale Ranji Trophy triumph had many heroes, but one name towered above the rest. Auqib Nabi Dar owned the season and led the bowling charts. And now, following his incredible performances, there are calls to fast-track him in the national team.
The 24-year-old finished the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy with a staggering 60 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 12.56. There were seven five-wicket hauls, two four-fers and best figures of 7/24. Add 245 runs with the bat, and it reads like a season that demands great attention.
In the final against Karnataka, on a surface that offered little for seamers, Nabi ripped through a batting line-up featuring KL Rahul, Karun Nair and Devdutt Padikkal. His five-wicket haul broke the contest open and ensured J&K clinched their maiden title on the basis of a first-innings lead after the match ended in a draw.
Mithun Manhas backs Nabi for bigger stage
BCCI president Mithun Manhas, who has deep roots in Jammu and Kashmir cricket, made it clear that the selectors are watching. He cleared that Nabi will definitely get his chances.
“He has been doing exceedingly well, not only this year, I think last year he also, you know, he did exceedingly well last year as well and he’s been a consistent performer, not only in first-class cricket, but in other formats as well. And I am sure he will get his reward, the way he has been performing. And I’m sure the selectors are keeping a close watch on Aqib. And I am sure you know, he will get his chances,” the new BCCI President told ANI.
Manhas also spoke on the incredible journey of J&K cricket. “It is a great feeling and it’s a very satisfying one when you know, when you have put in so much of hard work and the results are there to be seen. Yes, it is not only me but I think more than me, Jay bhai would be happy because he is the one who put everything in place.”
“And once it came under, you know, the BCCI handled JKCA, I think that was, that is when everything started changing. And I must compliment him because he was the one who came to Jammu after a span of 67 years (back in 2021). No other secretary had done this before. And he himself visited Jammu, saw the ground conditions, met the players, the coaches and spoke to them one on one, and that is when things started moving for us.”
Speaking for Manhas, he was elected as the 37th BCCI President in September last year. Manhas succeeded Roger Binny, who stepped down after reaching the age limit of 70.
Last season Auqib Nabi claimed 44 wickets. This year he has gone a step further with 60. In the knockouts alone, he took 12 wickets in the quarterfinal, nine in the semifinal and starred again in the final. Across formats, he picked 15 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at 13.26 and 14 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. That form earned him an IPL contract worth Rs 8.40 crore with Delhi Capitals after a fierce bidding war.
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