Auqib Nabi

Auqib Nabi Dar, popularly known as the "Baramulla Express," is a right-arm medium-fast bowler and handy lower-order batsman from Jammu & Kashmir who has become one of the most talked-about names in Indian domestic cricket. Born on November 4, 1996, in Baramulla, Nabi's rise is a story of immense perseverance, as he often travelled over 50 kilometres to Srinagar just to access proper training facilities.

Auqib made his professional entry for Jammu and Kashmir with a List A debut in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on September 23, 2018. This was followed by his Twenty20 debut in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on November 11, 2019, and his first class debut in the Ranji Trophy in January 2020. He made an immediate impact in his debut first class season, taking 5 for 39 against Odisha in January 2020. His reputation grew during the 2024 to 2025 Ranji season when he took 44 wickets, the second highest tally in the tournament.

Nabi's career reached stratospheric heights during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 domestic cycles, where he established himself as the premier seamer in the country. The 2025 to 2026 domestic season served as Auqib's breakout period. In August 2025, while representing the North Zone in the Duleep Trophy against the East Zone, he made history by becoming the first player to claim a double hat trick (four wickets in four balls) in the tournament's history.

His momentum carried into the Ranji Trophy, where he spearheaded the Jammu and Kashmir attack to their first ever title in February 2026. He finished as the season's leading wicket taker with 60 wickets at a remarkable average of 12.56, including seven five wicket hauls. Notably, 26 of these wickets were taken in the knockout stages, including match figures of 12 for 110 against Madhya Pradesh in the quarter final and a five wicket haul in the final against eight time champions Karnataka. He was officially named the Player of the Series for his historic performance.

Auqib also demonstrated his all round capabilities in the 2025 to 2026 Vijay Hazare Trophy. In a match against Hyderabad, he arrived at the crease with his team struggling at 90 for 7 and smashed 114 off 82 balls to help orchestrate an improbable victory. In the 2025 to 2026 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he continued his rise by taking 15 wickets in seven matches at an economy rate under 8, showcasing the death bowling variations that have made him a prized asset.

This dominance led to a major surprise at the Indian Premier League auction held in Abu Dhabi on December 16, 2025. Entering with a base price of 30 lakh rupees, Auqib sparked a fierce bidding war between Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Delhi Capitals eventually secured his services for 8.40 crore rupees, making him one of the highest paid uncapped players in IPL history. Delhi Capitals' head coach Hemang Badani revealed that he had been tracking the Baramulla pacer for over two years, identifying him as a versatile option who can strike with the new ball and provide control in the death overs.