IND Vs AFG: J&K Pacer Auqib Nabi's Exclusion From India Squad For One-Off Test Sparks Debate

The BCCI senior team selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, announced India squads for the one-off Test and the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, which will begin in June following the conclusion of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

Ajit Agarkar and his selection committee, along with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, met in Guwahati to finalize the selections. The chief selector held the press conference to address the media while unveiling the squads for the one-off Test and three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.

The selection committee made certain decisions, including managing Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah's workloads, handing four players maiden national call-ups across both formats, and dropping Rishabh Pant entirely from the 50-over setup while stripping him of his Test vice-captaincy.

Also Read: Agarkar on Jadeja's Test absence: 'He's been rested, remains key'

Auqib Nabi Dar Ignored for One-Off Test

One of the key news from India's squad announcement for Afghanistan was the exclusion of Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi for the one-off Test in New Chandigarh. Since the senior players Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja were rested, it was expected that Auqib would be included in the Test squad for the solitary match against the visiting Afghanistan side.

However, the Jammu and Kashmir pacer's name was not included in the squad list, despite chief selector Ajit Agarkar stating that the selection committee had a serious and thorough discussion regarding his inclusion, given his phenomenal domestic record. Auqib Nabi Dar had a sensational Ranji Trophy season, playing a pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir's title-winning campaign.

Alongside his role in Jammu and Kashmir's maiden Ranji Trophy triumph, Auqib finished as the highest wicket-taker with 60 wickets, including 7 fifers and 2 four-wicket hauls, at an average of 12.56 and an economy rate of 2.65 in 10 matches. This was a much-improved performance from the previous season, where he picked 44 wickets, including 6 fifers and 2 four-wicket hauls, at an average of 13.93 and an economy rate of 2.74 in 8 matches.

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Across two seasons, Auqib Nabi Dar has emerged as an absolute force in the domestic circuit, claiming a staggering 104 first-class wickets and thoroughly dismantling opposition batting lineups with unmatched consistency.

Jammu and Kashmir pacer's ability to extract bounce on helpful domestic tracks was largely dictated by his immaculate length, sharp seam movement, and relentless accuracy, turning him into the most feared red-ball weapon in the country.

Has IPL Become a Criterion for India Squad Selection?

The Jammu and Kashmir pacer, Auqib Nabi's exclusion from the India squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan has sparked an intense debate on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), with fans and cricket enthusiasts expressing immense frustration and slamming the selection panel for seemingly prioritizing raw physical attributes and IPL exposure over exceptional Ranji Trophy merit.

Taking to their X handles, fans and cricket enthusiasts slammed the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee for ignoring Auqib Nabi, who picked 60 wickets in the last Ranji Trophy season, calling out the selectors for favoring IPL exposure over consistent domestic performances and questioning the meritocracy of India's Test selection process.

How on earth did Gurnoor Brar make it to the test squad ahead of Aquib Nabi, who's had two wonderful and unprecedented Ranji seasons for any Indian seamer selectors, if a bowler who's picked 60 odd wickets at an avg of 13, is ignored for a bowler who's played just two...

- Ramachandra.M| ರಾಮಚಂದ್ರ.ಎಮ್ (@nanuramu) May 19, 2026

Auqib Nabi has not been included in the Indian Test squad said domestic cricket is very important and even asked Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and many other players to play domestic cricket now they haven't picked one of the best domestic bowlers. He has taken more... twitter/i5CRUpl0m7

- TEJASH (@LoyleRohitFan) May 19, 2026

Under Agarkar's regime, favouritism matters more than performances. This guy selects & drop players on basis of IPL. In last 2 seasons, not a single pacer comes close to Aaqib Nabi & he has no place in tests2025 - 55 wkts @ 12 avg2026 - 44 wkts @ 13 avg twitter/Z2cN6JST3M

- Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) May 19, 2026

Auqib Nabi not being picked for a Test against Afghanistan? What could've been a bigger test than this ahead of the Sri Lanka tour?

- Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) May 19, 2026

Aquib Nabi has taken 60 wickets at just 12.65 this Ranji season, back-to-back stellar performances, won the Ranji Trophy, was Player of the Tournament, and has 104 first-class wickets in just two seasons he still hasn't got an India call-up really feels like the Test... twitter/clKv0Ar0V6

- Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) May 19, 2026

Auqib Nabi looked all set to get that call-up after a phenomenal Ranji Trophy season. Has the IPL cost his place? Omkar Mankame (@Oam_16) May 19, 2026

If taking 60 wickets in a Ranji season and over 100+ in 2 seasons doesn't get you a place in India's Test team, then there's no purpose of playing domestic cricket. I don't know how Auqib Nabi would convince himself to keep performing. Must be heartbreaking. #INDvsAFG

- Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) May 19, 2026

Auqib Nabi delivered J & K their first-ever Ranji Trophy.60 wickets. 12.65 avg. POTT.104 FC wickets across 02 seasons he's watching the India Test squad announcement from home me again how our selection system rewards MERIT. twitter/RqagyumXs3

- Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) May 19, 2026

If domestic cricket performances like 60 wickets in one Ranji season and 100+ wickets across two seasons still can't earn a deserving pacer a place in India's Test squad, then the entire system needs serious introspection more does Auqib Nabi need to do to prove himself?... Tasaduq Hussain (@tasaduq_yaseen) May 19, 2026

Please remember and accept that IPL is the selection criteria for the Indian team and those who feel Ranji Trophy is the selection criteria, then keep dreaming. #INDvsAFG

- Devendra Pandey (@pdevendra) May 19, 2026

What exactly does Auqib Nabi need to do to earn a Test call-up?Over 100 wickets in the last two Ranji Trophy seasons - a feat achieved by only a handful of bowlers in history.60 wickets this season alone and Player of the Series, yet still ignored. twitter/MA3sShlekA

- ITACHI (@AllHailDC30) May 19, 2026

No Aquib Nabi? This is beyond shocking. And who is picked instead? A seamer who only played a few games last season. I know a thing or two about how it feels when you don't make it after picking loads of wickets in the Ranji Trophy. My heart goes out to you young man. You're...

- Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) May 19, 2026

In his first-class career, Auqib Nabi has picked 156 wickets, including 16 fifers and 6 four-wicket hauls, at an average of 18.37 and an economy rate of 2.89 in 41 matches. He is also a handy lower-order batter, amassing 969 runs, including two fifties, at an average of 19.00.

Auqib Nabi is currently part of the Delhi Capitals in the ongoing IPL season after being picked by the franchise for a whopping INR 8.40 crore at the mini-auction in December last year. However, Jammu and Kashmir pacer has made only four appearances, but has not taken a single wicket.

Also Read: No concerns over Rishabh Pant's Test future: BCCI's Ajit Agarkar

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