Srinagar, May 20, KNT: The exclusion of Jammu and Kashmir cricketer Aqib Nabi from India’s squad for the upcoming Afghanistan series triggered debate on Wednesday after Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed Ur Rehman Para publicly questioned the decision and described the omission as surprising.
The reaction followed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announcement of squads for the Afghanistan tour, including a Shubman Gill-led ODI side and a separate Test squad.
Para, in a post on X, highlighted Aqib Nabi’s recent cricketing achievements and questioned why the young pacer failed to find a place in the national side.
“Aqib Nabi, the man behind J&K’s historic Ranji Trophy success after 67 years, Player of the Match, IPL-selected, and praised by the PMO, Home Ministry, CM and cricket fans across India has surprisingly been dropped from the India team,” Para wrote.
The remarks quickly gained attention among cricket followers and social media users in Jammu and Kashmir, where Aqib Nabi’s rise has been closely followed after his performances for the J&K team and IPL selection.
The omission has generated discussion because Aqib Nabi was widely credited with playing an important role during Jammu and Kashmir’s landmark Ranji Trophy campaign, which drew national attention and was celebrated across the region.
Nabi finished the Ranji Trophy campaign with 60 wickets in just 10 matches at an average of 12.56 and was named Player of the Tournament after helping Jammu and Kashmir secure their historic maiden Ranji Trophy title.
His season included several outrageous spells, including nine wickets against Bengal in the semifinal and a stunning 12-wicket haul against Madhya Pradesh in the knockouts.
Nabi’s rise had already been rewarded during the IPL 2026 auction when Delhi Capitals snapped him up for Rs 8.40 crore. That is why many fans expected him to earn at least a maiden Test call-up against Afghanistan, especially with India resting Bumrah and looking at younger fast-bowling options.
Instead, selectors preferred Gurnoor Brar as the newer pace investment for now. And almost instantly, Nabi’s omission became one of the loudest debates after the squad announcement.
Meanwhile, BCCI’s squad announcement reflected a mix of senior players and emerging talent for the Afghanistan series.
For the ODI series under captain Shubman Gill, the selected squad includes:
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul
- Ishan Kishan
- Hardik Pandya (subject to fitness)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh
- Prasidh Krishna
- Prince Yadav
- Gurnoor Brar
- Harsh Dubey
The BCCI also announced the Test squad led by Gill for the one-off Afghanistan Test, with KL Rahul appointed vice-captain and several senior names rested.
Notably, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja were rested, while newcomers Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey and Prince Yadav earned maiden opportunities in the national setup.
Para’s criticism specifically focused on Aqib Nabi’s absence despite what he described as strong credentials and national recognition.
He tagged BCCI and cricket administrators in his post and called the omission “truly shocking.”
The Afghanistan series, scheduled for June, will comprise one Test and three ODI matches and is being viewed as part of India’s broader squad rotation and transition strategy ahead of future international assignments.
The squad announcement nevertheless reopened discussion in Jammu and Kashmir over representation and opportunities for regional cricketing talent at the national level.
Aqib Nabi’s Cricket Journey and Rise in J&K Cricket
Aqib Nabi emerged as one of Jammu and Kashmir’s most promising fast bowlers during the region’s recent cricket resurgence. The young pacer gained wider recognition through his performances in domestic cricket, particularly during J&K’s historic Ranji Trophy campaign that revived attention toward cricketing talent from the Union Territory.
Known for disciplined pace bowling and match-winning spells, Aqib played an important role during J&K’s notable domestic performances and earned appreciation from cricket followers and sporting circles across India.
His performances later brought IPL attention, further strengthening his profile as a fast-rising cricketer from Kashmir.
Aqib’s rise has often been viewed as symbolic of the changing sporting landscape in Jammu and Kashmir, where young players increasingly see cricket as a professional pathway despite limited infrastructure and competitive opportunities compared to traditional cricketing hubs.
His omission from the latest India squad has therefore triggered debate among supporters and observers who viewed him as a strong contender for national selection.
Selection Logic Behind India’s Afghanistan Squad
India’s squad for the Afghanistan series reflects a mix of squad rotation, workload management and long-term team planning under captain Shubman Gill.
The BCCI rested several senior players, including Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, while providing opportunities to younger and emerging cricketers.
Selectors appeared to prioritize:
• Managing workload of senior players ahead of future international commitments
• Testing bench strength and emerging talent
• Building squad depth in pace and all-round departments
• Giving exposure to uncapped or less experienced players
• Preparing a broader talent pool for upcoming global tournaments
The squad includes several fresh names such as Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey and Prince Yadav, indicating that selectors are experimenting with combinations rather than relying solely on established stars.
While such rotation is common in bilateral series, omissions of in-form domestic performers often generate public debate, particularly when players have recently delivered standout performances in domestic or IPL cricket.
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