‘I got a call… I was at the airport’: Auqib Nabi shares excitement of Team India call-up

Galle: Jammu and Kashmir seam-bowling all-rounder Auqib Nabi revealed he harbored hopes of an India call-up following his stellar Ranji Trophy campaign. However, he remained grounded, focusing entirely on his performance rather than dwelling on selection—a disciplined approach that ultimately paved his way to the national Test squad.

Nabi enjoyed a fairytale domestic season, spearheading Jammu and Kashmir to their historic maiden Ranji Trophy title while finishing as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 60 scalps. Despite these heroics, an immediate national call-up eluded him.

While the 29-year-old admitted he anticipated a reward for his relentless efforts, he emphasised the importance of staying committed to his craft.

"Yes, I had expectations. But at the same time, a cricket player’s mindset should be there. Your job is to perform, and the rest will see. If not today, I will join the India team tomorrow," Nabi said in a video released by the BCCI.

“You have been doing well for so many years. You have to reap the fruits of your hard work. I had the same mindset when I bowled. My job is to take wickets and perform. The rest is up to God," he added.

An unexpected call at the airport

Nabi’s perseverance bore fruit when he was named in India’s Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka, filling in for the injured pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

The life-changing news caught him completely off guard while he was en route to a training camp.

“I was at the airport; we had to go to a camp. The flight was going to board in Bangalore, so I got a call asking where I was. I said, ‘Sir, I am going to Bangalore, I am at the airport.’ He said, ‘No, you don’t have to go there, you have to come to Sri Lanka, and you have been selected.’ At first, I couldn’t believe it; it was unexpected,” he said.

Also read: ‘In that silence, I could sense the amount of hard work boys had put in’: T Dilip recalls  

A stellar domestic run

This landmark call-up comes on the heels of two extraordinary Ranji Trophy seasons during which Nabi collected a staggering 104 wickets. His remarkable consistency during the 2025-26 season proved instrumental in driving J&K to their milestone championship.

“I am very happy that I have been named Ranji Champion. My family is very happy. Nothing can be better than this for me,” he said.

Nabi's domestic brilliance had already opened major doors earlier in the year, earning him a maiden IPL contract with Delhi Capitals, where he featured in five matches. He further proved his mettle for India A on their tour of Sri Lanka, picking up six wickets across two four-day matches in a 1-0 series win.

While he previously got a taste of the national environment as a back-up net bowler during India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan, this marks his official entry into the senior Test squad.

Steping into the national team setup remains a surreal moment for the pacer.

“It was great. Sharing the dressing room with the people we see on TV and sharing the nets is a big deal for me,” he said.

India’s two-match Test series against Sri Lanka is set to kick off on August 15 at the Galle International Stadium. (IANS)