‘If 60 wickets aren’t enough, scrap Ranji’: Dilip Vengsarkar slams selectors over Auqib Nabi snub
Cricket legend Dilip Vengsarkar is absolutely fuming! He's slammed the selectors for completely snubbing Auqib Nabi, the Ranji Trophy's top bowler, for the Afghanistan Test. Despite Nabi's incredible 60 wickets and being named Player of the Tournament for leading J&K to their first title, they apparently passed him over due to 'pace concerns'.
MUMBAI: Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar has slammed the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee for ignoring Jammu & Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi despite his extraordinary 2025-26 Ranji Trophy campaign while picking India’s squad for the oneoff Test against Afghanistan next month. Nabi finished as the leading wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy with 60 wickets in 10 matches at a stunning average of 12. 56 and was named Player of the Tournament after guiding J&K to their maiden Ranji Trophy title.
The 29-year-old swing bowler delivered match-winning performances throughout the season, 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. His tally included seven five-wicket hauls and two four-wicket hauls. “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,” a furious Vengsarkar told TOI on Thursday.
“Can you imagine Nabi’s plight right now? He took 60 wickets in the Ranji Trophy. He has worked hard for it and deserves a place ahead of everybody else.