J&K Pacer Auqib Nabi’s Test Snub Sparks Row, Sanjay Manjrekar Calls Selection ‘Ridiculous’
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has strongly criticized the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee for overlooking Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi for India’s upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan, calling the decision “ridiculous” and difficult to justify.
The criticism comes despite Nabi’s extraordinary domestic performances over the past two seasons, including a title-winning campaign in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy where Jammu and Kashmir lifted the premier domestic trophy for the first time.
Nabi, 29, emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, claiming 60 wickets in 17 innings at an average of 12.65. His match-winning performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award and played a central role in Jammu and Kashmir’s historic triumph.
Across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, the right-arm pacer has taken 104 wickets, building a reputation as one of India’s most consistent red-ball bowlers.
Speaking on Sporstar’s Insight Edge Podcast, Manjrekar said Nabi’s omission raised serious questions about the value accorded to domestic cricket performances.
“I used to like the olden days when tremendous injustice was done. People would come out on the streets with placards and protests. Now the outcry is mostly on social media, but this is one non-selection that I just can’t understand,” Manjrekar said.
He termed the decision “actually ridiculous,” arguing that selectors risk undermining the relevance of the Ranji Trophy if standout performers continue to be ignored.
“When Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj are not playing, whether because they are being rested or for long-term planning, then you might as well not have the Ranji Trophy if performances like these are going to be ignored,” he said.
India have opted to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the Afghanistan Test, while the pace attack is expected to be led by Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.
Manjrekar said Nabi’s exclusion might have been understandable had India’s first-choice pace trio of Bumrah, Siraj and Shami all been available.
“It was an incredible story for Indian cricket, Jammu and Kashmir winning the Ranji Trophy, and this was the guy who almost single-handedly got them to the title,” he said.
“It was a no-brainer, and it’s really sad that he isn’t there.”
The former India batter further questioned the cricketing logic behind the decision, claiming Nabi’s record compared favorably with several players selected in the squad.
“I can understand if the seam-bowling spots were taken by Jasprit Bumrah, Siraj and Shami, and Nabi couldn’t find a place. But this is beyond me. It’s not a good cricketing decision because when you compare his record with some of the others in the squad, tremendous injustice has been done,” he added.
While Nabi first gained recognition as a red-ball specialist, recent seasons have also highlighted his growing white-ball credentials.
During the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he picked up 15 wickets in seven matches, strengthening his reputation across formats. His performances also attracted attention in the IPL 2026 auction, where Delhi Capitals secured his services for Rs 8.40 crore.
Nabi’s omission has now triggered a wider debate over the pathway from domestic cricket to the national team, particularly at a time when selectors are emphasizing workload management and long-term planning for established fast bowlers.
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