Riding on the back of an all-time bowling performance from pacer Auqib Nabi, Jammu & Kashmir have booked their first-ever Ranji Trophy semifinal berth in 67 years of participation, a watershed moment in the state's cricket history. The 29-year-old pacer put up a display of his big-game temperament with a career-best 12-wicket haul in the quarterfinal to help seal a 56-run victory and almost single-handedly carry J&K into unchartered territory.
Historic Quarterfinal Performance
In a low-scoring first innings, J&K were bundled out for 194, but they had their strike weapon waiting patiently in the wings. Nabi tore through the MP batting lineup with 7/40, giving his side a crucial 42-run lead.
The J&K batters did better in the second innings, posting 248, setting MP a target of 291. Once again it was Nabi who proved to be the thorn in their side, finishing with 5/70 as MP were bundled out for 234 and J&K secured a stunning 56-run victory.
Here's a look back at Nabi's fiery first-innings spell in the quarterfinal, a vivid display of swing, pace and control that set the tone for the tie:
Sumptuous Seven ????
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 8, 2026
Watch ????️
Rampant Auqib Nabi's skillful spell of 7/40 against Madhya Pradesh that helped his team take a crucial first-innings lead ????
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/jKbUTUi1lO#RanjiTrophy| @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/NSSuLMnYnb
Who Is Auqib Nabi?
Born on Nov. 4, 1996, in Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir, Auqib Nabi Dar is a right-arm medium-fast bowler whose steady rise has fast become one of Indian domestic cricket's most compelling stories.
A seamer with natural swing, Nabi has worked hard in recent times to sharpen his death bowling. He is not reliant solely on his skills with the ball either, having shown the ability to contribute valuable runs down the order when required.
Interestingly, he started his cricket journey bowling legspin, until a freak injury while playing tennis-ball cricket left him bloodied, prompting a switch to fast bowling. "Then I realised how fast I could bowl," he told ESPNcricino. "With the tennis ball, it loses pace once you pitch, so I used to go full, fast. That helped me develop strength also."
Nabi's rise gained national attention during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last year, where he claimed 15 wickets in seven matches at an economy under eight, underlining his growth and adaptability in the shortest format.
A Domestic Giant
Nabi has been dominating the red-ball circuit over the last two seasons. In the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season, he finished with 44 wickets at an average of 13.93, the most by any seamer in the country.
This season, he's among the top wicket-takers once again, with 46 scalps, second only to Uttarakhand's Mayank Mishra. In fact, since the start of the 2024-25 season, he has taken 97 first-class wickets, highlighting his remarkable consistency.
His form in the 24-25 Ranji Trophy season earned him a call-up to the Duleep Trophy, representing North Zone. There he announced himself with a spectacular four wickets in four balls, finishing with five in the match and even scoring 44 off 33, showcasing his all-round ability.
His exploits there impressed Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh, who was part of the North Zone squad and did not hold back in his praise, "I had not seen Nabi bowl earlier. The first time I saw him was at the [North Zone] nets, and I think in his first ten balls, he must have taken some seven wickets. That's when I realised, this lad is special. The ball comes out of his hand really nicely. The work he has put in in domestic cricket, everyone has seen it today. I think he will take a lot of wickets in the future as well."
The IPL Splash
At the IPL 2026 mini-auction, Nabi was a headline act, attracting intense bidding before being snapped up by Delhi Capitals for Rs 8.4 crore, a remarkable price for an uncapped Indian bowler. Sunrisers Hyderabad pushed hard for his signature but were ultimately outbid by the Capitals.
This price tag makes him one of the most expensive uncapped Indian players in IPL history and underscores the franchise's confidence in the potential that he holds.
What's Next For The Kashmir Express?
With J&K flying high and an IPL contract in hand, the next chapters in Auqib Nabi's journey are taking shape. Many analysts believe his next natural step is India A tours, where sustained performances across conditions could firmly position him for a Test call-up.
Others argue that, at 29, the clock is ticking and that a direct call-up, especially for India's upcoming New Zealand Tests, could be justified. The seamer's pace, the developing ability to bowl yorkers and perform in seam-friendly conditions make him a tempting selection.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
