NEW DELHI: As Jammu and Kashmir prepare for their first Ranji Trophy final against Karnataka in Hubballa, Auqib Nabi remains the calmest presence in a nerve-wracking dressing room. The pacer from Sheeri village in Baramulla has been the driving force behind J&K’s dream run this season.Expectations will once again rest on Nabi’s shoulders when J&K take the field on Tuesday. He has taken 55 wickets from nine matches this season – the second highest – at a remarkable average of 12.72. Bowling coach P. Krishnakumar reflected on how the shy pacer rose to become a dominant force.
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“If you look at his record, he’s got 199 goals in 40 games. I’ve been with him for the last three years and he’s got 99 goals in the last two seasons. He’s got 50-plus goals so far this season and it shows that his skill level has gone to another level now because he knows how to move the ball, it’s just taken a day at different batches and it’s not taken a day at different pitches. development and it started in the first year when I joined the Jammu and Kashmir team,” Krishnakumar told IANS.A Dale Steyn fan, Nabi made his Ranji debut in 2020 but has flourished in the last two seasons. Krishnakumar credited his bowling action as the foundation of his success.“You see, he’s got a very, very good action… When you compare it and look at it from a biomechanical perspective, his action is perfect… With the swing and seam that he has, it’s very difficult for batsmen to get against Auqib.”The transformation required relentless effort.“The first year I was with him, it was all about the process … The first year he bowled a thousand balls to develop his skills, master the wrist position and spin spin … it took almost a year to change him,” he said.Nabi’s nine-wicket haul against Bengal in the semi-final, along with a decisive 42 with the bat, underlined his all-round impact. He also produced career-best figures of 7-24 against Rajasthan and played key roles against Delhi.“Auqib has been fantastic because to take 99 wickets in the last two seasons is unbelievable… I am sure he will definitely get a nod in one of the upcoming Test series,” Krishnakumar said.He called for national recognition, adding: “As a coach, I feel he should be given a chance when he’s performing… To score almost 100 goals in two years – what do you want as a player?… If someone is performing there, I think he should definitely get into the team.”With a star-studded Karnataka batting line-up awaiting in the final, Krishnakumar believes the opportunity will not change Nabi.“The best thing about Nabim is that he is very calm in his mind… If he takes six wickets, he is still the same and that is very important,” he said.For Nabi, who once trained without proper facilities, the final is another step in an extraordinary journey – but his focus remains firmly on Jammu and Kashmir glory.
