In the quiet picturesque district of Baramulla Jammu & Kashmir a relentless talent was being forged far from the polished academies of India’s cricketing hubs. His name is Auqib Nabi Dar and his story is a testament to the power of unwavering focus.
Like many young men in the valley Auqib’s first love was not the leather ball, but the thrill of gully cricket with a tennis ball. He was a natural right arm medium pacer. His initial struggles including a grueling daily 72-kilometer commute from Baramulla to Srinagar for practice only hardened his resolve. His perseverance paid off, and he made his domestic debut for J&K in the 2018-19 Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Auqib’s biggest weapon is not sheer pace, but his masterful swing and precision across all formats. He moves the ball both ways with a subtle wrist position, making him a nightmare for opening batsmen.
The 2024-25 domestic season cemented his status as a premier Indian pacer. The season was his breakthrough in the red ball format. Auqib dominated the Ranji Trophy, taking a record-breaking 44 wickets the most by a fast bowler that season. His bowling average of a phenomenal 13.93 showcased his consistency, which included six 5-wicket hauls and a career best 7/24 against Rajasthan.
Proving he is equally lethal with the white ball, Auqib transferred his relentless form to the T20 arena. In the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy he was a revelation, finishing the tournament with 15 wickets in just 7 games, maintaining a stellar bowling average of 13. A match winning spell of 4/16 against Bihar, earning him the Player of the Match award. Crucial spells of 3/28 against Maharashtra and 3/19 against Madhya Pradesh, often striking early and delivering disciplined overs at the death.
This phenomenal dual-format showing has been recognized by top coaches and players, with veteran cricketers like R. Ashwin recently discussing his high potential.
His rise was not confined to J&K. His sensational domestic form earned him a call up to the North Zone team for the 2025-26 Duleep Trophy. In that tournament, Auqib delivered a spell that made national headlines when he completed a four-in-four wicket burst for North Zone against East Zone a rare feat that demonstrated his peak ability to manipulate the seam.
Despite his staggering record and versatility, Auqib is yet to secure a contract in the Indian Premier League or a call up to the India ‘A’ squad.
However, the wait may soon be over. Reports suggest that multiple IPL franchises, including Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, have already shown significant interest and called him for trials ahead of the upcoming auction. His consistent wicket taking and his proven ability to swing the ball in all conditions make him one of the most exciting Indian fast bowling prospects in years.
Auqib Nabi’s journey is a powerful story of dedication and skill. He has overcome infrastructure limitations and initial setbacks to emerge as one of the most promising pacers in the country, proving that when he takes the field, red ball or white ball, he lets the ball do the talking.