Auqib Nabi Snub Sparks Political Fallout: PM Modi Mentioned in BCCI Controversy
Auqib Nabi Omitted from India Squad Amid Record-Breaking Form
In a move that has stirred both cricketing and political circles, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has excluded Jammu and Kashmir speedster Auqib Nabi from the 15-player squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan. Despite picking up a staggering 60 wickets in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, Nabi’s omission has raised eyebrows and ignited a heated debate over selection criteria.
Historic Season Goes Unrewarded
Auqib Nabi was the driving force behind Jammu and Kashmir’s historic Ranji Trophy triumph—their first in 67 years. Across 10 matches and 17 innings, the 29-year-old fast bowler claimed 60 wickets at an extraordinary average of 12.56, including seven five-wicket hauls. His defining performance came in the final against Karnataka, where his 5-54 dismantled the opposition and set up a commanding 291-run first-innings lead.
His heroics earned him the Player of the Match award and widespread acclaim, even drawing public praise from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister. Yet, despite such overwhelming domestic dominance, Nabi finds himself absent from the national setup.
Political Firestorm Erupts
The controversy took a sharp political turn when Waheed Para, a prominent Jammu and Kashmir politician from the People’s Democratic Party, took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his discontent. In a pointed post, Para questioned the BCCI’s judgment and called out BCCI President Mithun Manhas and ICC Chairman Jay Shah.
“Aqib Nabi, the man behind J&K’s historic Ranji Trophy success after 67 years, Player of the Match, IPL-selected, and praised by Indian Prime Minister, Home Minister and CM and cricket fans across India has surprisingly been dropped from the India team in the list released by BCCI today. Truly shocking FYI, @MithunManhas @JayShah,” Para wrote.
IPL Struggles May Have Played a Role
While Nabi’s domestic performance is undeniable, his transition to the high-pressure IPL stage has been underwhelming. Signed by Delhi Capitals for IPL 2026, the right-arm pacer has played four matches but has failed to claim a single wicket. This lack of impact in the T20 format may have influenced selectors, who often weigh performance across formats when assessing Test readiness.
Still, critics argue that Test cricket demands a different skill set, and Nabi’s first-class record should have warranted at least a look-in, especially for a non-competitive fixture against Afghanistan.
BCCI Goes With Youth and Experience
In Nabi’s absence, the BCCI has opted for a balanced mix of youth and experience. Three potential debutants—Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar, and Manav Suthar—have been included in the squad, signaling a long-term vision. Meanwhile, senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been rested, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirming it’s part of a managed workload plan.
KL Rahul has been appointed vice-captain, a decision that stands out given Rishabh Pant’s successful leadership during Shubman Gill’s injury last year.
Full India Squad for Afghanistan Test
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul (vc)
- Sai Sudharsan
- Rishabh Pant
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Manav Suthar
- Gurnoor Brar
- Harsh Dubey
- Dhruv Jurel
Auqib Nabi’s exclusion may be justified from a selection committee standpoint, but the political and emotional weight behind his omission cannot be ignored. As debates continue, one thing is clear: domestic excellence still faces an uphill battle in earning national recognition.
