SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi has been named in India’s 16-member squad for the fourth and fifth One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against New Zealand, marking another significant milestone for the cricketer from north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad on Friday, October 16, with Shreyas Iyer appointed captain and Ishan Kishan named vice-captain and wicketkeeper for the final two matches of the five-game series.
Nabi, a right-arm fast bowler from Sheeri in Baramulla district, earned his place following impressive performances in domestic cricket. He played a key role in Jammu and Kashmir’s historic maiden Ranji Trophy title-winning campaign, emerging as the leading wicket-taker and establishing himself as one of the region’s prominent pace-bowling talents.
The selection follows Nabi’s international debut for India in the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati on September 30, 2026. His rise through domestic cricket has also earned him an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract with Delhi Capitals.
His inclusion in the squad for the concluding two matches gives him another opportunity to represent India at the international level. However, selection in the squad does not guarantee a place in the playing XI.
The squad includes Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav, alongside Iyer and Kishan.
India will begin the five-match ODI series against New Zealand on November 4 in Auckland, followed by the second match in Wellington on November 7 and the third in Hamilton on November 10.
The fourth and fifth ODIs will be played in Mount Maunganui on November 13 and 15, respectively.
The BCCI has announced separate squads for the first three ODIs and the final two matches, with changes to the team as India prepares for the subsequent Test series against New Zealand.
