Former India cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra questioned whether recent India call-up Auqib Nabi is skilled enough to bowl in the 50-over format ahead of the upcoming three-match home series against the West Indies. He was a surprise inclusion in the side, with premier pacers like Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh involved in the Asian Games 2026 campaign as well.

However, Auqib Nabi has picked 56 wickets in 36 List A matches in his career, but is predominantly known for his red-ball cricket as well. In the absence of the big names, the Indian pace attack will be led by Mohammed Siraj, alongside Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.

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“I am really happy for Auqib Nabi, but at the same time, deep down, I am also a bit concerned because he is still not going to get an opportunity. You have selected him, but will you give him a chance? I am not sure. It just feels like: Is Auqib Nabi ready for white-ball cricket? Is he actually going to make a difference?” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Aakash Chopra further added that Auqib Nabi is tailor-made for the conditions in New Zealand, and he could get opportunities during the upcoming two-match Test series in November-December as well. However, he also feels that the pacer will struggle in white-ball cricket on home soil.

“Let’s be honest about it, he does not have much pace. He has to bowl 10 overs, that too in different phases, so is he ready for that? I have not seen the evidence yet. I am going to wait and watch. The kind of performances we saw in the IPL, I don’t think it was convincing enough to show that he can bowl in all three phases of an innings. I am still optimistic that he will get to play matches in New Zealand. He is almost ideal for those conditions. But against West Indies on flat pitches? I am not sure,” Aakash Chopra concluded.