Former India Captain Dilip Vengsarkar has levied strong criticism against India’s selectors after Jammu & Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi was overlooked for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan national cricket team despite a record-breaking Ranji Trophy season.
Nabi finished as the leading wicket-taker in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy with 60 wickets in 10 matches at an outstanding average of 12.56, playing a central role in Jammu & Kashmir’s maiden Ranji Trophy triumph.
The 29-year-old produced several match-winning spells throughout the campaign, including 12-110 against Madhya Pradesh in the quarterfinal, 9-123 against Bengal in the semifinal, and 5-54 in the first innings of the final against Karnataka. His season included seven five-wicket hauls and two four-wicket hauls.
Yet despite those numbers — and growing calls from former players for his inclusion — Nabi was not named in the squad selected by the Ajit Agarkar-led committee.
Vengsarkar questions value of domestic cricket
Vengsarkar did not hold back in his criticism of the decision, questioning whether domestic performances still carry weight in India’s selection process.
“The selector’s decision to ignore him is absolutely absurd and baffling. What kind of selection is this? It is not acceptable. It is injustice,” Vengsarkar told the Times of India.
The former India captain went even further, arguing that overlooking a season of Nabi’s quality sends the wrong message to domestic cricketers across the country.
“Can you imagine Nabi’s plight right now? He took 60 wickets in the Ranji Trophy. He has worked hard for it and deserves a place ahead of everyone else. If domestic cricket performances are not a criterion, then the BCCI should scrap domestic cricket.”
“You pick a bowler for his ability to get wickets. He may bowl at 130 kmph, but the important thing is his wicket-taking ability. This kid has shown tremendous consistency in getting wickets. This was the ideal time to groom him when a player is in form, you give him the opportunity then and there. You don’t wait until he loses confidence, fitness or hunger,” he added.
IPL struggles may have hurt Nabi’s chances
While Nabi’s red-ball form was exceptional, some reports have suggested his difficult IPL 2026 campaign may have influenced the selectors’ thinking.
The Jammu & Kashmir pacer has struggled in limited opportunities during the ongoing IPL season, going wicketless in four appearances while conceding runs at an economy rate above 11. Only in bowling-friendly conditions at Dharamsala did he show flashes of the form that dominated the Ranji Trophy earlier in the year.
Still, several former cricketers believe his red-ball performances should have outweighed short-term T20 form.
Irfan Pathan had also criticised the omission, posting on X: “Do not discourage Ranji Trophy performances!”
Former Mumbai captain Shishir Hattangadi also questioned the logic behind the omission.
“Nabi’s exclusion is baffling. If Ranji Trophy is the yardstick, then honour it by recognising performances. You cannot ignore someone who has been so consistent in red-ball cricket,” Hattangadi said.
Selectors defend decision after Gurnoor Brar call-up
Instead of Nabi, selectors handed a maiden India call-up to Punjab pacer Gurnoor Brar, who was named in both the Test and ODI squads.
Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar reportedly acknowledged that Nabi’s performances were discussed during the selection meeting, but the panel ultimately opted for Brar.
According to the Times of India, a source close to the developments defended the selectors’ decision, arguing that domestic statistics alone should not dictate national selection.“There is a highest run-getter and wicket-taker every Ranji season. Should selectors simply be replaced by stats analysts then?” the source said.
“Gurnoor has done well for India A and also picked up 11 wickets in eight Vijay Hazare Trophy matches for Punjab. vs Mumbai.”
The decision has now reignited a wider debate around the role of domestic cricket in India’s pathway system, with many questioning whether IPL exposure and white-ball potential are beginning to outweigh sustained first-class excellence in national team selections.
