MUMBAI: Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar has hit out at the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel for leaving out Jammu & Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi when naming India’s squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan next month. Vengsarkar argued that Nabi’s standout Ranji Trophy run during 2025-26 deserved a promotion to the international stage, especially with Jasprit Bumrah being rested for the match.
Key takeaways
- Vengsarkar called Nabi’s omission “absurd and baffling” after his dominant 2025-26 Ranji Trophy wicket haul.
- Nabi topped the Ranji Trophy wicket charts with 60 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 12.56, earning Player of the Tournament honours.
- He played major roles in multiple knockout games, including a 5-54 in the final versus Karnataka at Hubbali.
- Despite the form and red-ball output, the Test squad instead included Punjab pacer and Gujarat Titans performer Gurnoor Brar.
- Other former India figures, including Irfan Pathan and Shishir Hattangadi, also questioned the decision.
Vengsarkar’s criticism of the selection call
Dilip Vengsarkar said ignoring Nabi despite an extraordinary season made little sense. The 29-year-old swing bowler finished the Ranji campaign as the highest wicket-taker, grabbing 60 wickets across 10 matches at a remarkable 12.56. His impact was such that he was also named Player of the Tournament, after helping Jammu & Kashmir win their first-ever Ranji Trophy title.
Vengsarkar highlighted that Nabi’s performances were not limited to one game or a single phase of the competition. He pointed to key match-winning spells across the tournament, including 5-54 in the first innings of the final against Karnataka at Hubbali, match figures of 9-123 in the semifinal against Bengal at Kalyani, and 12-110 in the quarterfinal against Madhya Pradesh at Indore. Overall, Nabi produced seven five-wicket hauls and two four-wicket hauls during the season.
“The selectors’ decision to ignore him is absolutely absurd and baffling. What kind of selection is this? It is just not acceptable. It is injustice,” Vengsarkar said in an outburst reported on Thursday.
He added that the situation was especially unfair given the amount of work Nabi put into earning those wickets. Vengsarkar said Nabi took 60 wickets in the Ranji Trophy, and that he had earned the right to be considered ahead of others.
Questioning the role of domestic cricket
Vengsarkar went beyond the immediate selection debate, challenging the broader value placed on domestic performances. He argued that if performances at that level were not treated as a genuine criterion, then domestic cricket would lose meaning.
“If domestic cricket performances are not a criterion, then the BCCI should scrap domestic cricket,” he said.
He also noted that Nabi had been productive in the prior Ranji season as well, claiming 44 wickets at 13.27. Even then, Vengsarkar said the bowler had reportedly been overlooked due to doubts around pace. However, that explanation did not convince the former India chief selector.
“You pick a bowler for his ability to get wickets. He may bowl at 130 kmph, but the important thing is his wicket-taking ability. This kid has shown tremendous consistency in getting wickets,” Vengsarkar stressed.
Opportunity with Bumrah rested, and pushback from others
With Jasprit Bumrah rested for the Afghanistan Test, Vengsarkar felt the timing was ideal to introduce Nabi to international cricket. He believed selectors should reward a player who is peaking in form rather than waiting for a different moment.
“This was the ideal time to groom him. When a player is in form, you give him the opportunity then and there. You don’t wait until he loses confidence, fitness or hunger,” Vengsarkar said.
The omission also drew criticism from former India allrounder Irfan Pathan, who earlier in the week posted on X: “Do not discourage Ranji Trophy performances!”
Shishir Hattangadi, a former Mumbai captain, echoed the same line of thought. He described Nabi’s exclusion as “baffling” and argued that if the Ranji Trophy is meant to be a yardstick, then it must be honoured by recognising consistent impact. Hattangadi said it was not acceptable to ignore someone who had been so reliable in red-ball cricket.
Agarkar admits the Ranji form was discussed
At Tuesday’s press conference, chief selector Ajit Agarkar acknowledged that Nabi’s Ranji Trophy performances were discussed. Despite that, the selectors chose Punjab and Gujarat Titans pacer Gurnoor Brar, who received a maiden call-up in both the Test and ODI squads.
A source close to the developments defended the selection approach, asking why selectors should be replaced by people focused only on numbers. The source said that every Ranji season produces a leading run-scorer and wicket-taker, and questioned whether selectors should simply follow statistics without considering a wider set of factors.
The source also pointed to Brar’s contributions in other formats and competitions. It noted that Gurnoor had done well for India A and had taken 11 wickets in eight Vijay Hazare Trophy matches for Punjab.
