'Hungry Nabi will excel in Sri Lanka': J&K skipper Paras Dogra

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As if winning the Ranji Trophy was not enough, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) skipper Paras Dogra’s joy has doubled ever since he learnt that his star pacer Auqib Nabi has earned his maiden India call-up for the upcoming two-Test series, starting in Sri Lanka on August 15.

Nabi, 29, who played a crucial role in J&K’s first Ranji championship triumph, claiming 60 scalps last season, will be replacing injured pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the series that kicks off in Galle.

Paras Dogra

“Nabi is an exceptionally hardworking cricketer and thoroughly deserves this India opportunity. I’ve watched him very closely across the last two seasons and I have no doubt that he will excel if makes it to the playing XI,” Dogra told mid-day over the phone from Gurgaon on Friday.

Dogra, 41, a veteran of 153 first-class matches with 10,603 runs under his belt, revealed that Nabi, who has claimed 162 wickets in 43 first-class games, was a tad disappointed when he did not get the India call-up a little earlier. “Nabi and I speak a lot and whenever the topic of selection came around, he would express his disappointment at not making it to the India set-up. But I’d always tell him that things will happen at the right time. He has patiently waited for it and I’m sure now he will grab this opportunity with both hands. He is very disciplined, focused and relentless. I can’t remember one occasion where he has asked for rest or a break. He’s always available for J&K across all formats. He has this hunger to do well and that’s what has taken him to this next level,” added Dogra, going on to highlight his star bowler’s strengths with the red ball.

“Nabi bowls at a good, consistent line and length. He can execute both in-swing and out-swing equally well. He can deliver testing bouncers and effective yorkers with equal ease,” said Dogra.

[popcorn number=”12.56″ desc=”Nabi’s bowling average in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy — the best among bowlers with a minimum of 100 overs; the pacer claimed 60 wickets while conceding 754 runs across 284.2 overs” class=”Default”]

[popcorn number=”4-58″ desc=”Nabi’s bowling figures in the first innings of the opening match between India ‘A’ and SL ‘A’ in June at Galle — the venue for the first Test” class=”Default”]

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