India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s Test future has come to an abrupt end due to his back problem and there is no doubt that the team is yet to find an all-rounder in the longest format of the game who can contribute equally with both bat and ball.
Auqib Nabi is being seen as a replacement for Hardik Pandya in India’s Test team.
However, it now seems that Jammu and Kashmir all-rounder Auqib Nabi could be an option for India’s Test team after his sensational performance in Ranji Trophy 2025-26. Even in the final, he continued his dangerous form and destroyed Karnataka’s batting like a storm.
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Auqib Nabi defeated Karnataka’s strong team and took 5 wickets for just 54 runs in 23 overs. Karnataka had no answer to the onslaught of fast bowlers and were all out for 293 in reply to Jammu and Kashmir’s first innings score of 584 in the title match in Hubli.
Auqib Nabi created a stir in Ranji Trophy
Jammu and Kashmir is currently ahead by 426 runs and still has seven wickets left to take it well beyond Karnataka’s reach. Now, they are just a few seasons away from chasing their first Ranji Trophy title, thanks to Nabi who has dominated throughout the season.
Auqib Nabi now has 60 wickets in just 10 matches at an impressive average of 12.56. He has taken five wickets seven times. Conditions don’t matter to the fast bowler as he has performed well on all types of pitches – green, dry, flat or slow – in India’s premier red-ball tournament.
Priyank Panchal calls Hardik Pandya a ‘lost opportunity’
After his record show, former Indian cricketer and coach Priyank Panchal gave a big statement on social media. He said that with Hardik Pandya, India lost a golden opportunity in Test cricket. Now, they wonder if Auqib Nabi can be the next Hardik Pandya and provide that balance to the team.
Nabi is not a flashy all-rounder like Hardik, but he is a reasonable fast bowler who keeps bowling the ball in the right areas and has consistently performed well and also provides valuable runs lower down the batting order.
Panchal supports Auqib Nabi for New Zealand tour
Given that, he believes that India’s upcoming tour of New Zealand will be the right time to test him in overseas conditions. New Zealand offers swing and seam, where a bowler like Nabi can shine.
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Sharing BCCI’s post for Nabi on his Ax handle, Priyank Panchal wrote on February 27: “Always felt that Hardik missed an opportunity for India in Tests, because the balance he brings to the team is second to none. Can Aaqib, who is also known as a bowler, fill that gap in the longest format? Right time to test him in the New Zealand tour later this year? #RanjiFinal”
There was always a feeling that Hardik had missed an opportunity for India in Tests because the balance he brings to the team is unmatched. Can Aaqib, who is also a bowler, fill that void in the longer format? What’s the right time to test him in the New Zealand tour later this year? #ranjifinal https://t.co/OZikauBy4c
– Priyank Panchal (@PKPanchal09) 27 February 2026
Notably, Nabi has played 40 first-class matches so far and has taken 151 wickets at an average of 18.62 and a remarkable economy rate of 2.90. The right-handed batsman so far has 967 runs in his name in red ball games with the help of two fifties.