Auqib Nabi’s family members watch the Ranji Trophy final (TOI Photo) BARAMULLA: About 40 km west of Uri, near the Line of Control, lies the village of Sheeri. Along the Jhelum Valley road, northwest of Srinagar. There, a narrow lane off the main road takes you to the home of cricketer Auqib Nabi Dar. It’s barely wide enough for three people to walk abreast, but remember the address. Because that must not be forgotten in a hurry.Usually busy in the way that small mountain villages can be, however on Saturday the shops in Sheeri were open but business was slow. Men stood in the narrow streets, groups of boys gathered with mobile phones in their hands. It seemed aimless, but it had a purpose. They were constantly checking their phones, sharing updates, draining mobile data every minute and keeping up with the final score of the Ranji Trophy in far off Hubballi.
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Inside the two-story dwelling, family members sat huddled in front of a modest television in a small room. An almirah was tucked in next to the television, in a cramped room. His chest contained many cricket medals that Auqib had won over the years. The room was silent except for the sound of the television commentary.His grandmother, Fazi, narrowed her eyes at the screen, smiled whenever the camera showed Auqib. Father Ghulam Nabi Dar, a government school teacher, leaned forward as he sat, watching each ball intently. Like a prayer from the rosary, he silently unrolled the names of the players and details of the match as the final reached its hour. When Jammu and Kashmir won, the family looked at each other. And he smiled softly. The members hugged each other. Moments later came the announcement that Auqib Nabi Dar had been named player of the tournament.
Auqib Nabi’s family members watch the Ranji Trophy final (TOI Photo)
As he began his post-match interview, the room fell silent, again as if it had fallen silent before a prayer.“He’s a shy boy,” his father said with a smile, keeping his eyes on the screen. When a TV host reminded Auqib that his father had once wanted him to become a doctor, and when Auqib smiled in response, Ghulam Nabi took off his glasses and wiped his eyes. In Kashmir, most parents encourage their children to pursue medicine as it usually serves as a respectable and secure career. Ghulam Nabi said he often worried that cricket would take his son away from his studies. He spoke of the time he prevented Auqib from going outside to play, locking him in a room and even tying him with a rope to prevent him from leaving. Around 2015, he failed to secure a medical seat by two marks, Ghulam Nabi recalled, as if to banish a bad memory.
Family members of Auqib Nabi (TOI photo)
Medicine’s loss was to become cricket’s gain and father understood this in time.“Later I realized how serious my son was about the game and I let him play,” he said. Then he added with a shy smile, “I used to play cricket too when I was young.”Now Ghulam Nabi just hopes to see his son play for India. “My dream is to see him in the Indian jersey,” he said.The proud father’s phone rang constantly with calls from relatives, neighbors and reporters as scenes of historic jubilation played on television. “People are calling with love,” he said as he tried to answer each one. Women from neighboring houses came to congratulate Auqib’s mother and grandmother. They hugged them and prayed.In another room, Bilal Ahmad Dar, 30, Auqib’s cousin, watched the match alone on his phone, preferring to watch the games in silence, he said. Bilal talked about how there were no proper cricket facilities in Sheeri when Auqib was growing up. Even today, only basic equipment is around. To train, Auqib traveled nearly five kilometers to a small land near the Lower Jhelum across the river.
Auqib Nabi’s awards over the years (TOI Photo)
Bilal follows Auqib’s career closely. He remembers almost every match his cousin has played since he was selected for the Ranji team. In the last two years, Bilal said Auqib has taken 104 wickets, 44 last year and 60 this year, and he is proud when famous cricketers praise Auqib on social media. “When older players tweet about him, it means a lot,” he said.Auqib is a science graduate from the University of Kashmir and remains humble despite his success, Bilal said recalling the day of the IPL auction. “Auqib and I watched the auction in this room,” Bilal said. “The first time his name came up, no team picked him for a few seconds, we were quiet. Then Delhi made an offer and we were relieved.”As the offering increased and more franchises were added, the price continued to rise. “When it reached Rs 8.40 crore, we couldn’t believe it. We were happy,” he said. Within minutes, the news spread throughout the village. People started gathering in front of the house, beating drums and celebrating. “There was a huge rush,” Bilal said. “But he’s very shy. He didn’t even come out.”
