Kamal Ghorui
‘England is the place to start in the summer,’ said former India captain Sourav Ganguly, backing Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi for national selection after his five-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy final against Karnataka at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground on Friday.Nabi returned figures of 5/54 in 23 overs as J&K bowled Karnataka out for 293 to secure a first-innings lead of 291 runs in the summit clash. He now leads the wicket charts this season with 60 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 12.56, including seven five-wicket hauls.
In a post on X, Ganguly said Nabi should be considered for India’s white-ball tour of England in July 2026, where India are scheduled to play five T20Is and three ODIs. The series will be part of preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.“J&K has shown the world what effort and intent can do ..They have made that region so proud of them. Tough environment makes tough people. Aqib nabi on his way to national colours. England is the place to start in the summer,” Ganguly wrote.With only a few sessions left in the final, a draw appears likely, which would hand Jammu and Kashmir their maiden Ranji Trophy title on the basis of the first-innings lead.Earlier, former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik had also praised Nabi’s season, noting that he has featured in all matches and performed across conditions.“Watching this Ranji Trophy campaign and following it closely, one thing I can say for certain, for all the young boys and girls out there playing this sport and wanting to represent the country, do it the AAQIB NABI way. Can’t think of any pacer/player in a long time doing what he’s done,” he wrote on X.“Domination from start to end and almost single-handedly winning the domestic tournament that matters the most to get into the national side,” he wrote.“Fitness across the whole campaign, bowling those long spells and across different soils and weather conditions and whether there’s been any help for a pacer or not, he’s been there for his team with the belief every time he’s had the ball to STRIKE for his team.“Hats off to you, AAQIB, you’re an absolute champion and hope you get a lot of success that comes your way and may you be the lesson on how it’s done to break the doors through sheer will power, skill and resilience,” he added.
