Jammu and Kashmir stunned Maharashtra on November 26, the opening day of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 (SMAT 2025) tournament. J&K defeated the star-studded Maharashtra cricket team by 5 wickets. Auqib Nabi's brilliant bowling is one of the main reasons behind J&K's dominating performance. 

Maharashtra went to bat first at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata and immediately felt in trouble as their top order collapsed completely. Prithvi Shaw, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, and experienced batter Rahul Tripathi lost their wickets cheaply. In 5 overs, Maharashtra was down by 3 wickets. Collective effort from their middle- and lower-middle-order batters pushed the total to 130 runs against all ten wickets in 19.5 overs. Auqib Nabi took 3 wickets in the process. 

Maharashtra sustained the first blow when Nabi, a pacer, took the wicket of Shaw. Abdul Samad's diving catch helped Jammu and Kashmir to get rid of the opener. Vicky Ostwal, with 21 runs, was Maharashtra's top run scorer of the match and also lost his wicket against the emerging pacer. In the following delivery, Nabi bowled out Prashant Solanki on the 5th delivery of the 20th over of the first innings. In his 3.5-over spell, Auqib picked up 3 wickets, leaking only 28 runs. 

Watch the 3-wicket spell here

 

 

 

 

 

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Who is Auqib Nabi? 

Ahead of the IPPL 2026 mini auction, Auqib Nabi is one of the most discussed names among Indian cricket fans on social media platforms. It was previously reported that for the 29-year-old seamer, franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) can express their interest during the auction. 2025 has been proving a dream year for Nabi, as he has been bowling constantly well for Jammu and Kashmir.

During the Mumbai vs. J&K match, Nabi took 5 wickets in the second innings after getting 2 wickets in the first innings. In the second innings, the pacer clinched Musheer Khan, Ajinkya Rahane, Siddhesh Lad, Sarfaraz Khan, and Tanush Kotian from the wicket. Despite the remarkable bowling from Auqib and brilliant batting from Paras Dogra, J&K captain, they lost the match by 35 runs to Mumbai. 

Auqib Nabi's bowling performance in the last 5 matches: 

Jammu and Kashmir vs Maharashtra: 3/28
Jammu and Kashmir vs Hyderabad: 4/39 & 1/19
Jammu and Kashmir vs Delhi: 5/35 & 0/43
Jammu and Kashmir vs Chhattisgarh: 2/90
Jammu and Kashmir vs Rajasthan: 3/29 & 7/24

Jammu and Kashmir sensation Auqib Nabi reportedly is under the radar of multiple Indian Premier League teams ahead of the IPL 2026 season. It is believed that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) also has interest in the pace bowling all-rounder. 

So far, in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025 season, Nabi has emerged as one of their most consistence cricketer with the ball as well as with the bat. On a regular basis, the pacer has taken wickets  for his state team. For J&K, Nabi has claimed three 5-wicket figures three time and one 10-wicket haul in their last 5 matches, which is evidence of his talent. 

In Group D of Ranji Trophy 2025 (Elite), Jammu and Kashmir is in the second spot of the points table after Mumbai. After 5 matches, Mumbai has 24 points and J&K has 20 points with their name. When these two teams faced each other from October 15 - 18, it turned into a thrilling contets. The bowling department of J&K fought toe-toe with the star-studded Mumbai batting line-up. 

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KKR can try to bring in Auqib Nabi for IPL 2026

During the Mumbai vs J&K match, Nabi took 5 wickets in the second innings after getting 2 wickets in the first innings. In the second innings, the pacer clinched Musheer Khan, Ajinkya Rahane, Siddhesh Lad, Sarfaraz Khan, and Tanush Kotian from the wicket. Despite the remarkable bowling from Auqib and brilliant batting from Paras Dogra, J&K captain, they lost the match by 35 runs to Mumbai. 

Auqib Nabi's bowling perfromance in the last 5 matches: 

Jammu and Kashmir vs Hyderabad: 4/39 & 1/19
Jammu and kashmir vs Delhi: 5/35 & 0/43
Jammu and Kashmir vs Chhattisgarh: 2/90
Jammu and Kashmir vs. Rajasthan: 3/29 & 7/24
Jammu and Kashmir vs Mumbai: 2/54 & 5/52

Mumbai Indians have started their preparations for IPL 2026 by calling Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi for a trial at their training center in Mumbai. The five-time champions have been very active in the pre-season period, completing several trades early and shaping most of their squad before the auction. Nabi is the latest promising player they are testing as they look to strengthen their team.

The 29-year-old pacer has not yet played in the IPL, but the upcoming season could be his first chance. Nabi has been in excellent form in domestic cricket and has become one of the most talked-about players this year. In the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025–26, he has taken 29 wickets in nine innings, including three five-wicket hauls. He has been a contributor with the bat, amassing 146 runs across seven innings, including one all-important half-century. His all-round ability once more makes him an option for any side.

Jammu and Kashmir cricket has grown rapidly in recent years, producing players such as Rasikh Salam, Abdul Samad, Yudhvir Singh, and Umran Malik. Brilliant performances from Nabi have been a major contributor to the strong season so far for J&K. The team currently lies second on the points table with 20 points in five matches, having lost only one game. He has contributed both with the bat and ball to emerge as the key performer of the side.

Nabi Matches MI’s Needs as They Finalize Squad Before the Auction

Mumbai Indians still have INR 2.75 crore left in their purse, and Nabi fits perfectly into their strategy of adding quality bowlers without overspending. Trials before the auction have become common in the IPL. For example, Chennai Super Kings invited Ayush Mhatre for trials last season before signing him mid-tournament as an injury replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad.

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MI also have made several trades in order to build their core for IPL 2026. They brought in Mayank Markande from KKR for INR 30 lakh, Sherfane Rutherford from Gujarat Titans for INR 2.6 crore, and Shardul Thakur from Lucknow Super Giants for INR 2 crore. With these smart moves and possible additions like Auqib Nabi, Mumbai Indians are working to create a strong and well-balanced squad for the upcoming season.

J&K pacer Auqib Nabi grabbed the spotlight with his brilliant display in the ongoing 2025 Duleep Trophy clash between North Zone and East Zone. The game, which got underway on August 28, has already witnessed several standout moments, with Nabi’s spell being the biggest highlight so far.

Batting first, North Zone managed to put up 405 runs on the board in their opening innings. East Zone, however, struggled to keep up with the momentum and collapsed for 230 runs in just 56.1 overs, unable to handle the pressure from the opposition bowlers.

Nabi was the star with the ball, producing magical figures of 5/28 from 10.1 overs. During his fiery spell, he scripted history by becoming only the fifth Indian to claim four wickets in four consecutive balls in first-class cricket, completely dismantling East Zone’s lower order and turning the contest decisively in North Zone’s favor.

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Some fascinating Facts About The Jammu & Kashmir Pacer:

Auqib Nabi has become the center of attention with his brilliant display in the Duleep Trophy. The Jammu & Kashmir fast bowler’s achievement has sparked curiosity among cricket fans. To celebrate his milestone, here are five fascinating facts about Nabi that highlight his journey, skills, and growing reputation as a promising seamer in Indian domestic cricket.

• Auqib Nabi claimed five wickets on his first-class debut

Auqib Nabi made his first-class debut for Jammu & Kashmir during the 2019–20 Ranji Trophy in a match against Jharkhand. In the opening innings, Jharkhand scored 259 runs, while Nabi went wicketless, finishing with figures of 0/43. Jammu & Kashmir gained control with the bat, posting 441 runs, highlighted by Abdul Samad’s impressive century knock of 128.

It was in the second innings that Nabi left his mark. Displaying skill and accuracy, he produced an excellent spell, grabbing 5/38 as Jharkhand were bundled out for just 155. His efforts ensured Jammu & Kashmir secured a dominant win by an innings and 27 runs. The performance not only sealed the match for his side but also marked Nabi’s arrival in domestic cricket with an impressive five-wicket haul on debut.

• Record holder as J&K’s leading wicket-taker in a single Ranji season

Auqib Nabi showcased his bowling brilliance for Jammu & Kashmir in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy. Playing eight matches, the pacer picked up 44 wickets at a stunning average of 13.93 with a strike rate of 30.47. His consistency was highlighted by six five-wicket hauls, which helped him finish as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker, only behind Harsh Dubey’s 69 scalps.

This exceptional run also saw Nabi etch his name in J&K’s cricketing history. He became the highest wicket-taker for the state in a single Ranji season, overtaking the long-standing record of 38 wickets set by Parvez Rasool in 2016-17. His efforts not only elevated J&K’s bowling attack but also established him as one of the most promising fast bowlers in domestic cricket.

• Baramulla-born pacer who began with tennis-ball cricket; his father works as a teacher

Auqib Nabi, a 28-year-old pacer from Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir, began his cricketing journey with tennis-ball matches before committing to the sport at a professional level. His early passion and dedication helped him steadily rise through the ranks of competitive cricket.

He later played for J&K in the U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy and U-23 Col. C.K. Nayudu Trophy, proving his bowling potential. Throughout his journey, his father, Ghulam Nabi Dar, who works as a teacher in a government school, played a key role in encouraging and supporting his ambitions, helping him balance both education and cricket while chasing his dream.

• Considers Dale Steyn his biggest source of inspiration

Auqib Nabi has often spoken about his admiration for former South African speedster Dale Steyn. In an interaction with Kashmir Life, the pacer revealed that he considers Steyn his biggest source of motivation, looking up to his aggression, consistency, and match-winning ability as guiding factors in his own journey.

He said, “ Steyn’s bowling action, top speed, and aggression have always fascinated me. Just as he represented his country at the highest level, I aspire to do the same for my state and my nation. I am working tirelessly to achieve that dream.”

• Debuted in List-A cricket alongside veteran Irfan Pathan

Auqib Nabi stepped into List-A cricket during the 2018 Vijay Hazare Trophy when Jammu & Kashmir faced Haryana. Sharing the dressing room with senior pros like Irfan Pathan and Parvez Rasool, he made an impressive start by bagging three wickets in the contest, immediately showcasing his potential at the domestic level.

Since that debut, Nabi has steadily grown into a consistent performer in the format. Over the course of 29 List-A matches, the right-arm seamer has collected 42 wickets, averaging 28.88 with the ball. His strike rate of 34.1 underlines his ability to break partnerships, while two four-wicket hauls highlight his match-winning spells. His journey reflects promise and steady progress for Jammu & Kashmir cricket.

The hope turns into reality. The pace bowling all-rounder from Jammu and Kashmir put East Zone in disarray in the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2025 clash. Auqib Nabi, the J&K player representing the North Zone, took a hat trick. 

East Zone then was trying to make a comeback with Virat Singh. Singh's half century came at the right time of the innings. His fifty-plus-run knock took the match into an interesting point. When Virat was batting on 69, Nabi struck. That was a huge blow for East Zone. Virat was the only batter who was well settled on the track for their side. 

Nabi spared no time to take two more wickets back-to-back. By taking the wickets of Manishi and Mukhtar Hussain, the all-rounder completed his hat trick. After a couple of overs, Nabi again made a cut; this time it was time for Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal to go back to the dugout. 

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After the sudden impact, East Zone's innings came to an end for 230 runs against North Zone's first innings of 405. Auqib, in his 10.1-over spell, clinched 5 wickets for 28 runs and one maiden over. 

Who is Auqib Nabi?

28-year-old Nabi has gained ample experience playing for Jammu and Kashmir in domestic cricket. The pace bowling all-rounder is known for his quick-fire batting abilities and economical bowling. Against Kerala in a 2025 Ranji Trophy fixture, he scored 32 runs and picked 6 wickets in the first innings.

During the historic win against Mumbai, Nabi again proved himself as a key figure. In the first innings, he took a couple of wickets, and then in the second innings, he secured another 4 wickets. Star Mumbai batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, and Shardul Thakur fell short against the promising all-rounder.