Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has applauded Auqib Nabi for his
stunning performances in first-class cricket over the last two years as well. He also stated that the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) all-rounder is picking up wickets for timepass as well. However, Nabi registered figures of 5/87 in 26 overs as J&K bowled Bengal out for 328 in their first innings in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 semi-final in Kalyani as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he shared, “I want to talk about Auqib Nabi because he is performing at a different level. The guy is in insane form, and even now in the Ranji Trophy, he is picking up wickets for timepass. In the last two years, he has picked up 95 wickets at an average of 13.44. This is incredible. Of course, he got a massive bid in the IPL. So he will get a chance in the IPL as well. He can operate with the new ball. Maybe not the best T20 bowler in the world, but what is this performance?”
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“Auqib is doing incredible things. Sometimes you need to compare as to who is the second-best. It will just give you an idea. The second-best pace bowler has taken a total of only 57 wickets at an average of 18.57. So he is absolutely at a very, very different level,” Chopra again shared.
However, Aakash Chopra also wondered when Auqib Nabi will be picked in India’s Test squad as well.
“The question will be when he will get a chance in the Indian Test team. I am not going to talk about T20Is or ODIs. These are Ranji and first-class performances. So we should stick to Test cricket. We will go to Sri Lanka next. Our frontliners are Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, and then Akash Deep is actually there. He is slightly ahead in that list. They are not even thinking about Mohammad Shami now. He hasn’t even gotten a contract. So he (Nabi) could be close to that list, but will a fourth fast bowler be required on the Sri Lanka tour?” Aakash Chopra concluded.
