SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi finished India’s five-match One-Day International series in New Zealand with five wickets from 31 overs, conceding 160 runs and delivering 112 dot balls as the visitors secured a 3-1 series victory.
The 29-year-old bowled 186 legal deliveries across the four matches in which he featured with the ball, recording an economy rate of 5.16, a bowling average of 32 and a strike rate of 37.20. More than 60 per cent of his deliveries yielded no runs.
Nabi’s involvement in the entire series came after a late change in India’s squad. Initially selected for the final two ODIs, he was subsequently drafted into the squad for all five matches following the withdrawal of Prasidh Krishna, who was ruled out because of a hamstring injury.
The inclusion followed Nabi’s six-wicket performance for India A against New Zealand A in Lincoln, earning him an opportunity to join the senior team for the remainder of the tour.
India’s series victory marked their first bilateral ODI series triumph in New Zealand in seven years.
Nabi featured in all five matches, although the third ODI in Hamilton was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
His best bowling performance came in the series-deciding fifth ODI, where he returned 1/37 from 10 overs, including 34 dot balls and a maiden. He also claimed two wickets each in the second and fourth matches.
In Wellington, Nabi took 2/31 from seven overs, dismissing Will Young and Tim Seifert as New Zealand were bowled out for 134. India won the match by four runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.
His fourth-ODI outing at Mount Maunganui produced two wickets for 59 runs in eight overs. New Zealand, however, posted 333, with Will Young scoring 125 after surviving two dropped catches off Nabi’s bowling. India subsequently suffered a 244-run defeat.
Nabi returned with a more economical spell in the final match, taking Michael Bracewell’s wicket as India successfully defended 209. New Zealand were dismissed for 187 in 48.1 overs, giving India a 22-run victory and the series.
His bowling figures across the four completed matches in which he bowled were 0/33 in six overs in Auckland, 2/31 in seven overs in Wellington, 2/59 in eight overs in the fourth ODI and 1/37 in 10 overs in the final match.
In addition to his five wickets, Nabi’s 112 dot balls reflected his ability to restrict scoring. His 34 dot balls in the final ODI were his highest in a single match during the series.
The pacer also spoke about adapting his bowling to New Zealand conditions, saying he preferred relying on seam movement and skills developed through domestic cricket rather than depending entirely on express pace.
He revealed that senior Indian batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had advised him to use scrambled-seam deliveries and hit the deck hard.
Nabi’s assignment with the Indian team is continuing beyond the ODI series. Although he was not included in the officially announced squad for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, he will remain in the country to assist the Indian team with its preparations.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed that Nabi, Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar would stay back for the red-ball preparations.
The first Test is scheduled to begin in Wellington on November 19, followed by the second in Christchurch from November 27.
The New Zealand tour has therefore provided Nabi with exposure across five international matches, alongside an opportunity to work with India’s senior players and participate in preparations for the longer format.
With the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup approaching, his performances have also given him an opportunity to strengthen his credentials for India’s future white-ball plans. However, a regular place in the national side will depend on sustained performances in subsequent assignments.
