Jammu & Kashmir’s maiden Ranji Trophy title will be remembered for many reasons, but above all, it will stand as the season of Auqib Nabi. The right-arm fast bowler produced one of the most remarkable domestic campaigns in recent Indian cricket history, combining consistency, endurance, and impact performances to lead his side to an unforgettable championship.
A Landmark Ranji Campaign
Nabi concluded the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy as the competition’s highest wicket-taker, claiming 60 scalps across the season. That tally places him among the top performers in the tournament’s long history and marks one of the finest efforts by a pace bowler in a single edition. For Jammu & Kashmir, it was unprecedented territory — no bowler from the state had previously crossed the 50-wicket mark in a Ranji season.
What made his campaign even more impressive was the quality of his returns. Operating with discipline and aggression, Nabi maintained a bowling average of 13.25, underlining his ability to break partnerships and keep batters under constant pressure. His strike rate reflected similar dominance, as he regularly delivered decisive breakthroughs.
Sustained Excellence Across Seasons
The 2025–26 season was not an isolated surge. Over the last two Ranji campaigns combined, Nabi has amassed 104 wickets, placing him among the most productive bowlers in consecutive editions of the tournament. In 18 matches across those two seasons, he registered 13 five-wicket hauls — a testament to his knack for turning games in his team’s favour.
This year alone, he produced eight five-wicket performances in first-class cricket, matching some of the best seasonal efforts by a fast bowler in India. Seven of those came in the Ranji Trophy, highlighting his reliability in the country’s premier domestic competition.
More Than Just a Bowler
While Nabi’s primary role has been with the ball, he also showcased his all-round ability in limited-overs cricket. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he struck an unbeaten 114 from No. 8 — the first century of his professional career. The innings not only demonstrated resilience but also added another dimension to his profile as a lower-order contributor.
Across all senior domestic tournaments in 2025–26, Nabi finished with 95 wickets, placing him among the most prolific bowlers in a single Indian season across formats.
A New Chapter for Jammu & Kashmir
For a team that had never previously broken into the final stages of major competitions, this triumph signals a turning point. Nabi’s performances have provided Jammu & Kashmir with both silverware and a renewed sporting identity. His season will be remembered not merely for numbers, but for its role in reshaping the narrative of cricket in the region.
At just the beginning of what promises to be a significant career, Auqib Nabi has already etched his name into domestic cricket history.
