East India captain Dilip Vengsarkar Has openly criticized the Indian selectors after the lapse of Auqib Nabi From the team for the upcoming one-off test afghanistan. The former chief selector expressed disappointment at the move and questioned the logic behind ignoring a player who had consistently impressed in domestic cricket over the past two seasons.
Vengsarkar believes that the performance in the tournaments will be good ranji trophy should remain a major factor in national team selection and warned that ignoring deserving domestic performers sends the wrong message to players across the country.
Dilip Vengsarkar raised questions from selectors on ignoring Auqib Nabi
Speaking to The Times of India, Vengsarkar did not shy away from criticizing the selectors. He questioned the entire purpose of the Ranji Trophy if strong domestic performances are not rewarded with national selection.
“The decision of the selectors to ignore him is absolutely absurd and shocking. What kind of selection is this? It is not acceptable. It is injustice. Can you imagine the plight of Nabi right now? He has taken 60 wickets in the Ranji Trophy. He has worked hard for this and deserves to be ahead of everyone else. If domestic cricket performance is not a yardstick, then the BCCI should abolish domestic cricket.”
Vengsarkar also dismissed concerns about Nabi’s pace and said that a bowler should be selected on the basis of wicket-taking ability rather than just pace. He felt it was the perfect opportunity to dismantle the in-form pacer and boost his confidence.
“You pick a bowler based on his wicket-taking ability. He can bowl at 130 kmph, but the important thing is his wicket-taking ability. This kid has shown tremendous consistency in taking wickets. This was the ideal time to groom him. When a player is in form, you give him a chance at that very moment.”
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Prophet’s outstanding domestic figures
Nabi has quietly built one of the strongest domestic records among Indian fast bowlers in recent years. Since making his first-class debut in 2020, he has taken 156 wickets in just 41 matches at an impressive average of 18.37.
During the last Ranji Trophy campaign, Nabi took 44 wickets in eight matches, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament. He followed this with an even more impressive performance in the 2025–26 season, where he became only the third fast bowler in Ranji Trophy history to take 60 or more wickets in a single edition.
His performance helped Jammu and Kashmir Creating history by winning their first Ranji Trophy title, Nabi led the bowling attack throughout the campaign. He was selected considering his performance in domestic cricket Delhi Capitals For ipl 2026 At a price of ₹8.40 crore.
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