Past India captain Dilip Vengsarkar He openly criticized the Indian selectors after the release Augib Nabi of the squad for the upcoming one-off Test Afghanistan. The former chief selector expressed his disappointment at the move and questioned the logic of not looking at a player who has consistently impressed in domestic cricket over the past two seasons.
Believes in performances in tournaments like Vengsarkar Ranji Trophy should remain a major factor in national team selection and warned that ignoring worthy local performers sends the wrong message to players across the country.
Dilip Vengsarkar questions voters on Auqib Nabi snub
Speaking to The Times of India, Vengsarkar did not hold back in criticizing the voters. He questioned the entire purpose of the Ranji Trophy if strong domestic performances are not rewarded with national selection.
“The selectors’ decision to ignore him is absolutely absurd and baffling. How is that a choice? It’s just unacceptable. It’s unfair. Can you imagine Nabi’s situation now? He’s taken 60 wickets in the Ranji trophy. He’s worked hard for it and deserves a place ahead of everyone else. If he’s not a local player, then a local player is not a BCC player. Cricket.”
Vengsarkar also dismissed concerns about Nabi’s pace, saying the bowler should be selected for his scoring ability rather than just pace. He felt it was the perfect opportunity to give blood to the in-form accelerator and boost his confidence.
“You pick a bowler based on his ability to take wickets. He can bowl at 130km/h but what’s important is his ability to take wickets. This kid has shown great consistency in taking wickets. It was an ideal time to groom him. When a player is fit, you give him an opportunity then and there.”
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Prominent local numbers of Nabi
Nabi has quietly built one of the strongest domestic records among Indian pacers in recent years. Since his First-Class debut in 2020, he has taken 156 wickets in just 41 matches at an average of 18.37.
During the previous Ranji Trophy campaign, Nabi took 44 wickets in eight matches, finishing as the second highest wicket-taker in the tournament. He followed up with an even more dominant 2025–26 season, where he became only the third pacer in Ranji Trophy history to score 60 or more runs in an innings.
His speeches helped Jammu and Kashmir script history by winning their first Ranji Trophy title, Nabi who led the bowling attack throughout the campaign. Seeing his performances in domestic cricket, he was selected by the Capitals of Delhi for IPL 2026 At a price of ₹8.40 crore.
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