India tour of New Zealand: Auqib Nabi expected a Test call-up but made his India debut in ODIs instead. The Jammu and Kashmir pacer is now embracing every opportunity, backing his skills over express pace.Auqib Nabi has been in good form in New Zealand ODI series (PTI Photo) India fast bowler Auqib Nabi has candidly admitted that he was not expecting a call-up to the national white-ball side before getting an opportunity to play Test cricket.
Speaking to reporters on the eve of the fourth ODI against New Zealand in Wellington, Nabi said he was happy to make the most of the opportunities coming his way."My record is good in white-ball cricket whenever I play for Jammu and Kashmir. To be honest, I was not expecting I would get a call to play white-ball cricket.
I was expecting a red-ball call-up. Nonetheless, it's a good opportunity for me to show my skills," Nabi said."It's good for all of us.
We will get a good experience as to how to bowl with the red ball in New Zealand conditions. Staying with the team is always a good experience, you get to learn a lot," he added.The Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler earned his maiden Test call-up for India's tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year.
He was brought into the squad as an injury replacement for Jasprit Bumrah but did not get a game and is still awaiting his Test debut. However, Nabi made his ODI debut at home against the West Indies in September.
It was not the start he would have hoped for, with the fast bowler conceding 84 runs in 8.5 overs without picking up a wicket on a flat pitch in Guwahati.Nabi retained his place in the squad for the New Zealand tour. In the first ODI in Auckland, he went wicketless despite keeping things tight, conceding 33 runs in six overs.
He opened his international wicket account in the second ODI in Wellington, picking up two wickets for 31 runs in seven overs in a low-scoring contest that was threatened by rain. Asked why his celebrations are relatively muted, unlike those of many fast bowlers, Nabi said he preferred to let his performances do the talking."Keep doing your work in silence.
I want to show off my skills on the field, with the bat and the ball," he said.Nabi enjoyed a prolific run in domestic cricket, taking 60 wickets in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season and 104 across the last two seasons. Given those numbers, many had expected him to earn his Test cap, but his first opportunity to represent India came in the ODI format instead.MORE PACE?Meanwhile, Nabi brushed aside suggestions that he needed to add more pace to his bowling to be effective at the highest level, insisting that he would continue to rely on the skills that had brought him success in domestic cricket."Obviously, having pace is very good, but I back my skill.
I performed well and reached here based on my skill. Obviously, pace is a plus factor, but I back my strengths.
What I did well in domestic cricket will work here too," he said.While Nabi will be part of the final two ODIs in New Zealand, he will stay back for the Test series. The Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler will serve as one of the net bowlers for the Test squad during the two-match series, which begins on November 19.
Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar will also remain in New Zealand for the Test series after completing their ODI assignments.For Nabi, the opportunity to stay with the Test squad will also offer valuable exposure to red-ball cricket in New Zealand conditions, something he had initially hoped to experience through a Test call-up."It's good for all of us. We will get a good experience as to how to bowl with the red ball in New Zealand conditions.
Staying with the team is always a good experience, you get to learn a lot," he said.- Ends