From Kashmir Village to India Test Cricket: Auqib Nabi's Inspiring Rise

Auqib Nabi's journey to becoming the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to be selected for India's Test team is a story of hard work and hope. Auqib grew up in a small village in Baramulla district, where there were not many facilities for playing cricket. His father, Ghulam Nabi Dar, was a schoolteacher who wanted his son to focus on his studies and become a doctor. In Kashmir, winters are long and cold, and there are not many good cricket grounds. Most people did not believe that someone from their area could become a professional cricket player.

Despite these challenges, Auqib was passionate about cricket from a young age. He would travel about 70 kilometers to Srinagar to practice on proper cricket pitches. He did not even own a pair of spike shoes when he went for his first cricket trials. But Auqib was determined. He woke up early every day to go to the gym and then practiced cricket for hours. His cousin Bilal and his friend Junaid remember how focused and hardworking he was. Even when people told him there was no future in cricket, Auqib did not give up.

His big break came in 2020 when he played in the Ranji Trophy, India's top domestic cricket tournament. He took five wickets in his first match and soon became known for his skill and discipline. In the 2024-25 season, he took 44 wickets, but he was still not well known outside his state. The next season, he took 60 wickets in 10 matches and helped Jammu and Kashmir win their first Ranji Trophy title in 67 years. This success led to a big contract with the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. Even though he did not get many chances to play in the IPL, his performances in other matches caught the attention of the national selectors. In 2026, Auqib was chosen to replace Jasprit Bumrah in the Indian Test team for the series against Sri Lanka.

Auqib's selection is a proud moment for his family and for all of Jammu and Kashmir. His father, who once wanted him to become a doctor, is now proud to be known as Auqib's father. Former cricketer Parvez Rasool says that Auqib's journey will inspire many young people in the region to believe in their dreams. Even though Jammu and Kashmir still has only two major cricket stadiums and faces many challenges, Auqib's story shows that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.