Auqib Nabi Earns First India ODI Cap in Guwahati Against West Indies

Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi has made his India ODI debut in the second match against West Indies in Guwahati. He was handed his cap by KL Rahul before play, after India won the toss and chose to bowl first.

A change to the XI

Nabi comes in for all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who played in the series opener. His selection gives India an extra seam option alongside Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav, and with the hosts fielding first he will get the chance to work with the new ball straight away.

A record built in the Ranji Trophy

The call-up follows two productive domestic seasons. Across the 2024-25 and 2025-26 Ranji Trophy campaigns, Nabi collected 104 wickets. His most recent season was the stronger of the two: 60 wickets in 17 innings at an average of 12.65.

Those returns were central to Jammu and Kashmir winning their first Ranji Trophy title, and Nabi was named Player of the Tournament. Over his career he has 170 wickets from 45 first-class matches, along with 56 wickets in 36 List A games.

Series situation

India arrived in Guwahati leading the three-match series 1-0 after an eight-wicket win in the first game. Virat Kohli was the standout performer that day, finishing unbeaten on 139 from 88 balls with nine sixes.

For Nabi, the second ODI is the first step at international level after a season that made him one of the most talked-about domestic bowlers in the country.