Auqib Nabi Dar, the 29-year-old pacer hailing from Baramulla, made history at the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Hubli Cricket Ground on February 28, 2026. He tore through Karnataka’s lineup in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 final, grabbing five wickets and handing Jammu and Kashmir their first title in the history of the prestigious tournament. Nabi’s control and knack for swinging the ball both ways helped him rack up 60 wickets this season.
Even Sourav Ganguly weighed in, saying it’s time for Nabi to join the Indian Test squad for the England tour. Suddenly, the “North Kashmir Express” isn’t just a local star. He’s put his region on the national cricket map, and honestly, you can feel the shift as Jammu and Kashmir cricket has arrived.
Auqib Nabi Dar Career And 2025-26 Ranji Trophy Stats
The 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season will forever be remembered as the “Summer of Auqib. ” Nabi not only took wickets, but he also broke down the top orders of the teams throughout the country. His display in the final against a star-studded Karnataka lineup, where he got batters such as KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal out, was the perfect exclamation point to his campaign.
| Full Name | Auqib Nabi Dar |
| Born | November 4 1996 (Baramulla, J&K) |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm Medium Fast |
| 2025-26 Ranji Wickets | 60 (Leading Wicket-taker) |
| IPL Team (2026) | Delhi Capitals (Bought for ₹8.40 Crore) |
| Major Achievement | Only 3rd pacer to take 60 wickets in a Ranji season |
When T20 World Cup is going on and everyone’s focus on T20 cricket.
A boy from Kashmir is scripting history in domestic cricket.
He is just a call away from the Indian test squad. Keep grinding Aquib Nabi, wait will be over soon.
pic.twitter.com/oJ12tlWfzL— Shahid Ayoub (@shahidayoub_) February 8, 2026
It was not all about the numbers; Nabi’s impact was also recognized through his capability of bowling long, never, say, die spells. On average, he bowled more than 20 overs per innings, while in the final, he kept his economy rate to only 2. 30. This degree of control, along with his natural high, arm action, renders him a lethal candidate for the red ball format.
From Baramulla To Hubli: The Rise of Aquib Nabi Dar
The journey of Auqib Nabi symbolises resilience. Coming from a remote village named “Sheeri” in Baramulla, he started his career by playing on broken grounds with very few facilities. His father, who is a government school teacher, at first wanted him to study medicine, but Nabi’s commitment to fast bowling finally convinced his father.
WHAT A BAWL BY AQUIB NABI IN THE RANJI TROPHY 🏆 #RanjiTrophypic.twitter.com/xWryfyXJBc
— Ashu (@AshuKharwa66211) February 15, 2026
Nabi became a major talking point nationally at the Duleep Trophy 2025-26 when he took four wickets in four consecutive balls, the first in the tournament’s history. His four-for against the East Zone was just a taste of his Ranji Trophy exploits. Currently, he represents one of the beacons of hope for the young generation of Jammu and Kashmir, showing that the journey from the streets of North Kashmir to the Indian cricket locker room is now within reach.
They’ve done it. Well done J&K. #ranjitrophy2026 #RanjiTrophyFinal pic.twitter.com/COVBOl5j6J
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 28, 2026
Aquib Nabi IPL 2026 Team: Delhi Capitals
Aquib Nabi was bought by the Delhi Capitals for an eye-popping 8.40 crore in the IPL 2026 auction held in Abu Dhabi. Initially priced at only 30 lakh, the right-arm pacer set off a heated four-way bidding war between Delhi, Rajasthan Royals, RCB, and Sunrisers Hyderabad before DC eventually got him on board.
His knack for swinging the ball at the beginning and his demonstrated ability to bowl tightly and claim wickets in the Ranji Trophy are the main reasons he is considered a prime pacer alongside Mitchell Starc for Capitals in IPL 2026.
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