Auqib Nabi joins India squad as back-up player for Afghanistan Test

Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi joined India’s Test squad as a backup player on Tuesday ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan.

Nabi was a prominent omission from the Indian squad. With Harshit Rana and Akash Deep injured and Jasprit Bumrah being rested, it was expected that Nabi would get a maiden Test call-up.

But the selectors went for Gurnoor Brar as the back-up pacer to assist Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.

“At this point, we have gone with the three that we have picked. But there was certainly a chat around that. There is no doubt. He [Nabi] has had some incredible performances for Jammu & Kashmir,” explained chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

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Nabi was instrumental in Jammu and Kashmir winning its maiden Ranji Trophy title in 2025-26. The swing bowler finished as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker with 60 wickets in 17 innings at an average of 12.65 and was named Player of the Tournament. Across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, he has claimed 104 wickets.

The India vs Afghanistan Test will start on June 6 in New Chandigarh.

Published on Jun 02, 2026