Delhi Capitals bowling mentor Munaf Patel has praised debutant Jammu and Kashmir quick Auqib Nabi for the discipline and patience he has shown as he navigates his first Indian Premier League campaign. Ahead of the Capitals’ upcoming meeting with Gujarat Titans, Patel highlighted that Nabi’s approach has stayed level despite the increased spotlight that comes with the league.
Quick facts
- Munaf Patel lauded Auqib Nabi for discipline and a strong work ethic.
- Patel said Nabi has remained focused during his debut IPL season.
- Nabi is noted for wanting to bowl extra in nets, sometimes requiring the team to stop him.
- Patel stressed the gap between domestic cricket and the IPL, where even good deliveries can be hit.
- He referenced Nabi’s Ranji Trophy impact for Jammu and Kashmir as a key recent achievement.
- Patel suggested Nabi could be used as an impact player when required.
- Delhi Capitals are fourth in the IPL 2026 points table with an NRR of 1.170 after two wins.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Patel described Nabi as a young bowler who takes his preparation seriously and waits for his moments rather than chasing headlines. He said the pacer has not allowed the league’s glamour to distract him, and that even in practice he looks eager to do more.
Patel also offered a clear view of what makes the IPL a different challenge from domestic cricket. In his assessment, the standard of batting and the pace of scoring mean that batters can punish deliveries that might have been effective in other competitions, forcing bowlers to adapt quickly.
“There’s a big difference between domestic cricket and the IPL, where even good balls can get hit,” Patel said, adding that Nabi is working toward becoming a more complete T20 asset. The coach framed Nabi’s development as a process of refining skills and decision-making rather than relying purely on raw pace or past performances.
From Ranji success to IPL readiness
Patel then pointed to Nabi’s recent domestic form, singling out his showing in the Ranji Trophy season for Jammu and Kashmir. He called it a landmark run for the player, while stressing that the IPL demands consistent readiness because selection and playing time can vary from match to match.
With that in mind, Patel said the team is ensuring Nabi stays prepared even if he does not feature in every game. He further suggested that the Capitals could use Nabi in a role suited to the match situation, including as an impact player when the situation calls for it.
In the league context, Delhi Capitals—having won both of their matches so far—currently occupy the fourth spot in the IPL 2026 standings. Their Net Run Rate (NRR) stands at 1.170 as they head into the fixture against Gujarat Titans.
