India cap for Auqib Nabi a good sign for Jammu and Kashmir cricket, says skipper Paras Dogra

Auqib Nabi became just the third cricketer from Jammu & Kashmir to play for India, after Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik. | Photo Credit: Ritu Raj Konwar

A little after 1 p.m., at the Barsapara in Guwahati, Auqib Nabi received his India cap from K.L. Rahul. Less than an hour earlier, around 2,700 kilometres away in Srinagar, Nabi was a recurring theme of the press conferences building up to the Irani Cup fixture.

It wasn’t yet known that he would become just the third cricketer from Jammu & Kashmir to play for India, but such had been the pacer’s impact on his team’s Ranji Trophy-winning exploits in 2025-26 that the two captains were asked repeatedly about Nabi’s absence for J&K against Rest of India.

Rishabh Pant, as ever, resorted to wit. “He is in the opposition team. So we will not miss his bowling,” the Rest of India skipper quipped.

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For Paras Dogra, the query was at the core of J&K’s chances of not just winning the Irani Cup, but also defending its Ranji title. With Nabi expected to feature in India’s red-ball plans when it tours New Zealand in November, Dogra may have to rely on others for wickets during the season.

“Obviously, he took 60 wickets last year. But we have good bowlers. This is a good sign for J&K that cricket is growing and other boys will get a chance,” the 41-year-old said.

The veteran pointed to left-arm pacer Sunil Kumar’s 31 scalps as evidence of J&K’s pace depth.

“Sunil took 31 wickets, but it was overshadowed. Umar Nazir is ready and hungry. There are a couple of other pacers about whom we have to take a call,” he added.