Auqib Nabi: From Ranji Dominance to IPL 2026 with Delhi Capitals
Sixty Ranji Trophy wickets. A maiden title for Jammu & Kashmir in 67 years. A 5-for in the final against Karnataka. Now, the IPL.
Auqib Nabi’s journey to the biggest stage in T20 cricket has been the kind of story that writes itself. The 29-year-old right-arm pacer is set to make his IPL debut for Delhi Capitals against Lucknow Super Giants — bought for ₹8.4 crore, entering a league he has waited years to play in.
“My strength is swinging the ball both ways,” Nabi said. “My main aim will be to swing the ball, take wickets with the new ball, and keep things simple.”
He backs himself. But he is also measured about expectations. “There is an expectation that I have to do well at this level, but I am not feeling excessive pressure,” he said. Nabi has 156 first-class wickets and 15 scalps in 7 SMAT matches this season alone.
The ultimate goal sits beyond the IPL. “Right now, my sole focus is on the IPL, where I want to help Delhi Capitals win their maiden IPL title,” he said. The India jersey can wait — but not for long.