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New Delhi: Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi on Tuesday joined India’s Test squad as a back-up player for the upcoming one-off game against Afghanistan. The move comes after BCCI and the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel faced sharp criticism for ignoring Nabi from India’s main squad for the one-off Test match at home.

Nabi’s omission from the Test squad sparked a debate last month, with several fans and experts criticising the decision. Many felt the selectors were overlooking top performers in domestic cricket, reducing the importance of India’s robust domestic structure. Nabi was arguably the standout pacer in the Ranji Trophy last season, playing an instrumental role in Jammu & Kashmir’s historic maiden triumph.

With Jasprit Bumrah rested, and Harshit Rana and Akash Deep out with respective injuries, Nabi was expected to be picked in India’s Test squad for the one-off match against Afghanistan. However, the selectors preferred Punjab pacer Gurnoor Brar over him, handing him his maiden Test call-up for India.

Brar was selected as the third pacer in the squad alongside Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. The decision left many surprised, considering Nabi’s performances for J&K in the domestic circuit.

Nabi’s snub from India’s Test squad sparked a debate as the pacer enjoyed a remarkable domestic season for Jammu & Kashmir. He finished as the leading wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 with an impressive 60 wickets at a brilliant average of 12.57, helping J&K win their maiden title.

While he was consistent throughout the season, Nabi also stepped up when it mattered the most for Jammu & Kashmir. He bagged a five-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy final against Karnataka to help J&K record a stunning victory and become India’s domestic champions.

When asked about Nabi’s absence from the Test squad, chief selector Ajit Agarkar said his non-selection was down to the fact that it was a one-off Test match and the hosts cannot pick more than three pacers when playing at home.

“At this point, we have gone with the three that we have picked. But there was certainly a chat around that. There is no doubt. He [Nabi] has had some incredible performances for Jammu & Kashmir,” said Agarkar after India’s squad for the Afghanistan Test was announced last month.

Nabi will now be part of India’s squad when they lock horns with Afghanistan in the one-off Test, which is scheduled to start on June 06 in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. India have picked a total of seven net bowlers, including Nabi, to prepare the batters for the Test match.

Apart from Nabi, pacers Prince Yadav, Gurjapneet Singh, and spinners Shivang Kumar, Saransh Jain, and Zeeshan Ansari will serve as net bowlers for Team India.