Auqib Nabi earns his first India cap in Guwahati after a 60-wicket Ranji season

Auqib Nabi became the third cricketer from Jammu & Kashmir to represent India when he was handed his one-day cap in Guwahati on Wednesday

The seamer came into India's side for the second one-day international against West Indies at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, replacing all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. He received his cap from vice-captain KL Rahul in a huddle on the outfield before play.

Shubman Gill won the toss and put West Indies in. "We're gonna bowl first," the India captain said. "A bit more grass, and looks a little bit patchy at times. So I think there'll be a little bit more for the fast bowlers initially." Shai Hope said West Indies would have fielded as well.

India lead the three-match series 1-0.

A cap from KL Rahul

Nabi follows Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik as cricketers from Jammu & Kashmir to play for India, and is the first from the state to do so since Malik. The Board of Control for Cricket in India marked the moment on social media with the line "Another dream come true in blue".

The call was not a surprise. Nabi was named in India's Test squad for the two-match series in Sri Lanka in August as cover for the injured Jasprit Bumrah, but did not play, and he has carried a reputation for hitting the deck hard and finding steep bounce since his breakout domestic season.

Sixty wickets and a first Ranji title

The route to the cap was a domestic season with few recent parallels. Nabi took 60 wickets in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy as Jammu & Kashmir won the competition for the first time, and was named player of the tournament.

His wider record stands at 170 first-class wickets in 45 matches and 56 List A wickets in 36, at an average of 27.37 with a best of 4-39.

The Ranji season also moved a market. Delhi Capitals bought him for 8.40 crore rupees at the December 2025 auction, from a base price of 30 lakh and after a long duel with Sunrisers Hyderabad, and he played for Surrey during the English summer.

West Indies attack the new ball

Any help Gill expected for his fast bowlers was slow to appear. John Campbell went after the new ball from the start and reached a rapid fifty, clearing the rope more than once.

India's one breakthrough in the first hour came through Prasidh Krishna, who had Keacy Carty caught at cover by Naman Dhir. Carty had moved up to open in the reshuffled West Indies order.

Hope joined Campbell and West Indies reached 133 for 1 from 15.2 overs, a rate that left India's attack, debutant included, searching for a way to slow the innings.

Four changes for the visitors

West Indies made four changes from the first game. Justin Greaves was the enforced one, ruled out with the calf injury he picked up while making his maiden international century, and Jewel Andrew, Matthew Forde and Gudakesh Motie also dropped out.

In came Sherfane Rutherford, Keemo Paul, Shamar Joseph and Vitel Lawes, giving Hope a longer batting order and a third frontline quick alongside Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales.

An Irani Cup tie he will miss

The timing costs Nabi an occasion at home. Jammu & Kashmir begin their Irani Cup match against the Rest of India on Thursday at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar, the first time the fixture has been staged in the city, and their leading bowler will be in Guwahati rather than in it.

It is the trade a first India cap usually involves, and one his state will take.

Scorecard: West Indies 133 for 1 (15.2 overs) v India, 2nd ODI, Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.

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