Galle International Stadium: Jammu and Kashmir seam-bowling all-rounder Auqib Nabi admitted he had expectations of earning an India call-up after his sensational Ranji Trophy campaign but insisted he remained focused on performing rather than worrying about selection, a mindset that eventually helped him earn his maiden Test call-up.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Nabi claimed 60 wickets in the Ranji Trophy last season and played a pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir’s historic maiden title triumph. Yet, despite finishing as the competition’s highest wicket-taker and playing a key role in the championship-winning campaign, the India call-up did not come immediately.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 29-year-old said he had expected to be rewarded for his performances but maintained that his responsibility was simply to keep delivering on the field.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Yes, I had expectations. But at the same time, a cricket player’s mindset should be there. Your job is to perform, and the rest will see. If not today, I will join the India team tomorrow," Nabi said in a video released by the BCCI.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
“You have been doing well for so many years. You have to reap the fruits of your hard work. I had the same mindset when I bowled. My job is to take wickets and perform. The rest is up to God," he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Nabi’s patience eventually paid off when he was called up to India’s Test squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka as a replacement for injured pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The call came at an unexpected moment for Nabi, who was at the airport preparing to travel to Bengaluru for a camp.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
“I was at the airport; we had to go to a camp. The flight was going to board in Bangalore, so I got a call asking where I was. I said, ‘Sir, I am going to Bangalore, I am at the airport.’ He said, ‘No, you don’t have to go there, you have to come to Sri Lanka, and you have been selected.’ At first, I couldn’t believe it; it was unexpected,” he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Nabi's India selection comes after two outstanding Ranji Trophy seasons in which Nabi amassed 104 wickets. His exploits in the 2025-26 campaign also helped Jammu and Kashmir secure their maiden Ranji Trophy title.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
“I am very happy that I have been named Ranji Champion. My family is very happy. Nothing can be better than this for me,” he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Nabi’s domestic performances had earlier earned him his maiden IPL contract with Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026. He featured in five games, while also representing India A on the tour of Sri Lanka, where he picked up six wickets in two four-day matches as India A won the series 1-0.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He had previously been part of the national setup as a back-up net bowler during India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan, but his latest selection marks his first inclusion in the senior Test squad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Nabi said entering the Indian dressing room has been a special experience, particularly because many of the players he is now sharing the nets and dressing room with are those he had watched on television.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He had previously been part of the national setup as a back-up net bowler during India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan, but his latest selection marks his first inclusion in the senior Test squad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India will begin their two-match Test series against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on August 15.<\/p>\r\n\r\n