Asif Iqbal
Srinagar, Dec 09 : In a major boost for Jammu & Kashmir cricket, standout pacer Auqib Nabi is among the group of eight players from the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) shortlisted for the IPL 2026 Player Auction, scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi.
According to the final roster released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the J&K players who, have made the cut include Auqib Nabi, Nasir Muzaffar, Atif Mushtaq, Waseem Khanday, Vivrant Sharma, Abid Mushtaq, Qamran Iqbal, and Ashwin Murugan.
Auqib Nabi, the 28-year-old swing bowler from Baramulla, especially has emerged as one of the most promising domestic talents.
Renowned for his ability to swing the ball both ways, he has been among J&K’s most consistent performers. His standout 44-wicket Ranji Trophy campaign established him among the best bowlers in the country. He also scripted history by becoming the first bowler in Duleep Trophy history to take four wickets in four balls.
Nabi’s recent trial with the Mumbai Indians has further elevated expectations ahead of the auction.
The BCCI’s final auction list features 350 players, trimmed from nearly 1,390 registrations after franchise assessments and performance-based filtering. The pool comprises 240 Indian and 110 overseas players, including 224 uncapped Indian talents.
The auction at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena will see intense competition for 77 slots across 10 franchises. Forty players have opted for the highest base price of ₹2 crore, while a majority, 227 players, have entered the ₹30 lakh bracket. (GNS)
