New Delhi: As the IPL 2026 auction approaches, most of the spotlight remains firmly fixed on marquee international names such as Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone and Venkatesh Iyer. Yet, every IPL auction has its own breakout Indian story—and this year, that story could well belong to Jammu & Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi.
At 29, Nabi’s journey has been one of persistence and patience. Despite entering domestic cricket in 2018 and repeatedly registering for the IPL auction, he has so far gone unsold. But consistent performances across formats and growing interest from franchises suggest that his long wait may finally be coming to an end.
Dominant Performances Across Formats
Auqib Nabi has been in outstanding form in both red-ball and white-ball cricket.
- In the Ranji Trophy 2025–26, he picked up 29 wickets in five matches at an impressive average of 13, including a career-best spell of 7 wickets for 24 runs.
- In the previous Ranji season, he claimed 44 wickets in eight matches, underlining his consistency.
- Representing North Zone in the Duleep Trophy, Nabi produced a sensational spell, taking four wickets in four consecutive deliveries.
- In the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he has already taken 15 wickets, while also contributing useful runs down the order with the bat.
Trials with Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals
Nabi’s domestic exploits have not gone unnoticed. Ahead of the auction, he was invited for trials by Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, two of the most analytically driven franchises in the league. Several other teams are also understood to have monitored him closely.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Nabi said:
“All the trials went well. Let’s see what happens on the 16th.”
Auction Details and Career Numbers
- Base price: ₹30 lakh
- Set: 7
- Auction number: 42
In his career so far:
- T20s: 43 wickets in 34 matches at an economy rate of 7.74
- First-class cricket: 125 wickets
- List A cricket: 42 wickets
A Breakthrough Moment Awaits
From being repeatedly overlooked to earning trials with IPL giants, Auqib Nabi’s rise is a testament to perseverance in Indian domestic cricket. As the auction hammer comes down on December 16, the fast bowler from Jammu & Kashmir could finally see his IPL dream turn into reality—proving once again that consistent performances can rewrite destinies, even after years in the shadows.
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