The time of Nabi’s debut was chosen strategically, according to head coach Gautam Gambhir. Rather than waiting for the third and final match, which would have been a dead rubber if India had won the second game, Gambhir decided to bring in the 25-year-old bowler while the series was still being contested and pressure was high.
On September 30, 2026, Auqib Nabi, a swing bowler from Jammu and Kashmir, made his ODI debut for India in the second match of a three-game series against the West Indies at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Nitish Kumar Reddy, an all-rounder, was replaced in the playing eleven by Nabi. India maintained a 1-0 series lead after winning the first ODI by eight wickets in Thiruvananthapuram, with the second match still offering significant stakes.
Nabi’s Domestic Form and Reddy’s Role
Gambhir noted that introducing Nabi in a contest with real repercussions was far more beneficial than a mere appearance.
The head coach highlighted that World Cup cricket requires players to perform under extreme pressure, and bilateral series provided a great platform for testing rising talent in such circumstances.
Nabi’s selection followed a stellar domestic season. In the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, he finished as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker with 60 wickets in 17 innings at an average of 12.65, helping Jammu & Kashmir win their first Ranji Trophy title. Nabi has taken 170 wickets in 45 first-class matches, with 56 wickets from 36 List A games.
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Nitish Kumar Reddy, the player Nabi replaced, had played in the first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram. Reddy bowled five overs in that match, taking one wicket and surrendering 45 runs. His participation in the squad highlighted India’s overall strategy of developing depth in the all-rounder position for future championships.
