Jammu and Kashmir Auqib Nabi is yet to feature for Delhi Capitals in his maiden Indian Premier League season. Capitals, who bought Nabi for a hefty sum of Rs 8.40 crore after beating SunRisers Hyderabad in the IPL auction, are yet to find a place for the young pacer in their line-up.
Nabi enters his first IPL stint after an incredible domestic season. He was an outstanding performer in the Ranji Trophy, picking up 60 wickets. His match-winning spell in the final helped Jammu and Kashmir clinch their maiden Ranji title, defeating a superstar-heavy Karnataka side.
However, Nabi did not appear in the first two games for the Capitals this season despite his high scoring.
So what went wrong? Why hasn’t Auqib Nabi played a game yet?
Ahead of the match against Gujarat Titans scheduled to be played on April 8, DC bowling coach Munaf Patel said that the team has just not been able to fit the fast bowler into the playing eleven so far.
Speaking to reporters at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Munaf praised Nabi and called him one of the best players in the team.
Munaf revealed that DC want to give Nabi an opportunity in the IPL, especially given his excellent work ethic. He pointed out that while most bowlers deliver five to six overs in the nets during the IPL, Nabi pushes himself for 10 to 12 overs and often continues until he is asked to stop.
Even then, Nabi insists on bowling a bit more.
“He’s a very good lad. As fast bowlers, we’re a bit crazy, a bit eccentric, but he’s a very good lad. He’s got an incredible work ethic and he’s never played in the IPL or been part of that ecosystem. He works very hard, bowls all the time. Most people bowl five to six pitches in the nets, but he loves the art of 12 over 10. Even then he asks, ‘Sir, please let me bowl six more balls.'” learning and trying desperately to develop his variations,” said Munaf Patel ahead of the DC vs GT match. DC vs GT: Auqib Nabi bowling in the nets. (PTI photo)
AUQIB NABI IS READY TO FIGHT: MUNAF
The former India fast bowler also highlighted the gap in quality between domestic and IPL batsmen. At the domestic level, a good delivery is often enough to beat a batsman, but in the IPL, even quality balls can be sent for runs. Munaf said the team is working to ensure Nabi is ready for this transition.
“In domestic cricket, good balls are good balls and bad balls are bad. Batsmen are not always able to hit your good balls for sixes. But here even good balls can run. So they are trying to develop in that regard,” he added.
Munaf concluded by saying that Nabi is ready for the match and will get his opportunity when the team combination allows. If Delhi opts against using another batter as an Impact Player, Nabi could be drafted straight into the XI.
“Auqib Nabi is ready to play. Sometimes it is difficult to handle this type of player but he is such a good kid. We have asked him to stay ready. When we get the first chance, we will play him. If we don’t use a batsman as an Impact Player in the game, we will bring Auqib Nabi,” he said.
Delhi Capitals will face Gujarat Titans in their third match of the season. DC have won both their matches so far, while GT arrive at the Cauldron on the back of two defeats.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
08 Apr 2026 11:38 IST
