SRINAGAR: Former India opener Aakash Chopra has backed Jammu and Kashmir pace-bowling all-rounder Auqib Nabi to retain his place for the third ODI against the West Indies despite an expensive international debut in Guwahati.
Nabi conceded 84 runs in 8.5 overs without taking a wicket in the second ODI at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on September 30. Despite the difficult outing, Chopra said India should give the 29-year-old another opportunity when the teams meet in the third ODI at Mullanpur on Saturday, October 3.
Speaking during a discussion on Cricinfo, Chopra said Nabi’s bowling could be better suited to red-ball cricket and argued that the flat conditions often encountered in Indian white-ball cricket could make things difficult for the right-arm pacer.
“Auqib Nabi, my thoughts before the game at Guwahati are exactly the same as they are now – that his bowling style might be suited a bit more for red-ball cricket,” Chopra said.
He added that Nabi had been selected partly for his ability to contribute with the bat at No. 8 and that India should not abandon that selection strategy after just one match.
“If it was New Zealand, I would have a slightly different opinion. But in India, it is a tough ask,” Chopra said. “You played him a game. Everybody got carted for runs last match. He also leaked a lot of runs. You played him because he can bat at number eight. Now, don’t dismiss that philosophy. So, once you have played him, you play him another game.”
Nabi, born on November 4, 1996, in Baramulla, has emerged as one of Jammu and Kashmir’s prominent domestic cricketers. He took 60 wickets during the 2025-26 season as Jammu and Kashmir won their maiden Ranji Trophy title, earning an Indian Premier League contract with Delhi Capitals ahead of the 2026 season.
He subsequently became the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to receive an India Test call-up and an international cap, making his senior India debut in September 2026.
Nabi’s rise has come despite limited local cricket infrastructure. He regularly travelled about 70 kilometres to Srinagar for access to better training facilities during his development.
India’s bowling options in the ODI series have also been affected by the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, who are representing India at the Asian Games in Japan. Mohammed Siraj is part of the ODI squad but has not played either of the first two matches.
