The ET GenAI Hackathon 2026 has announced the results of its Idea Submission phase, with the shortlist finalised after evaluating entries from more than 54,000 builders across India. Shortlisted teams now advance to the Prototype Development Phase
The fast-expanding war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has captured global attention largely because it is disrupting oil and gas supplies from the Persian Gulf. Yet another resource is now emerging as far more critical to the survival of the region’s societies. Water
Indian technology stocks have seen an unprecedented rout over the past few weeks over fears of artificial intelligence upending the traditional outsourcing model that powers the country's $300bn (£223bn) back-office industry. The sell-off - part of a global correction in traditional software and
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Monday managed an easy victory in the biennial polls to five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, with its candidates including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin
Star Brazilian forward Neymar didn’t receive a call-up to the national team squad for the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, although striker Endrick found a spot. With this snub, Neymar’s hopes of playing at the upcoming FIFA World Cup have received a massive blow
The Auqib Nabi supremacy: what worked in Ranji — and will it in Tests?
The Auqib Nabi supremacy: what worked in Ranji — and will it in Tests? Premium
Fast bowling is viscerally raw. It is intense, unfiltered and powerful, and not only does it register in the onlookers’ minds, but it also evokes deep emotion.
Yet, for every stump that cartwheels, there is the lovely outswinger that kisses the bat and nestles safely in the wicketkeeper’s gloves. Fast bowling is bold, but also beautiful.
No bowler in recent times has embodied these two aspects quite like Auqib Nabi. As Jammu & Kashmir clinched its maiden Ranji Trophy title last week, the 29-year-old from Baramulla finished with a chart-topping 60 wickets at an average of 12.56.
So penetrative was he that his strike-rate was an astounding 28.43. No bowler with 25 or more wickets had a number less than 30. Nabi also took a whopping seven five-wicket hauls, and four of those came in five innings across the quarterfinals, semifinals and final.
ALSO READ | The impact of the Ranji final will be felt beyond cricket in Jammu and Kashmir
For all the statistical grandeur, there is a pleasing reticence to everything he does. His run-up is not fiery; his pace is not express; he doesn’t stare down batters or indulge in complex vocabulary even while speaking about his expertise. Nabi is both arresting and simple.
Big-name hunter: Forty-three of Nabi’s 60 victims batted in the top-seven. Here he celebrates the wicket of R. Smaran (First Class avg: 73.04) in the final. | Photo Credit: PTI
But barely two years ago, Nabi was just another bowler in domestic cricket. He made his debut in 2019-20 under trailblazer Parvez Rasool, playing seven Ranji matches and claiming 24 wickets as J&K made the quarters for only the second time in history. However, in the three seasons after that, he accounted for just 22 scalps.
“I saw him first in the Buchi Babu Trophy nets in 2023-24,” P. Krishna Kumar, J&K bowling coach, told The Hindu. “He had a firm wrist, which is very important for a fast-bowler. Only then can you give good back-spin and release the ball better because the palm is behind the ball.
“But he was bowling more inswingers. He wouldn’t even bowl around the stick [stumps] to a left-hander. I asked him why. He said ‘Sir, I don’t have the confidence to bowl the outswinger’. So we practised, had some specific net sessions, and he learnt very quickly and improved drastically.”
In 2024-25, Nabi claimed 44 wickets as J&K reached the quarters again. But a maiden last-four appearance was thwarted by Kerala which secured a narrow one-run first-innings lead. The title-winning season, thus, seems like him wreaking vengeance.
“Nabi lands the ball on the seam, and that is why he has got so many wickets in Indian conditions,” Krishna Kumar explained. “And his movement is so late, and only two or three inches.
“I’ve been coaching for 20 years and I’ve played for 15 years. But I’ve never seen many bowlers moving the ball so late,” added the former Rajasthan cricketer, who played 70 First Class matches.
ALSO READ | Working to rectify gaps: Jaitley on Delhi’s poor Ranji show
This reflects in the manner of Nabi’s dismissals. He bowls a suffocating line, landing the red cherry consistently in that mythical ‘corridor of uncertainty’ to perplex batters. Of his 60 dismissals, 42 were caught behind, bowled or lbw.
The conditions under which Nabi has achieved this is equally noteworthy. Though India now boasts of a world-class pace attack at the international level, the domestic game is still not a speedster’s paradise. In the all-time top-10 list of wicket-takers in a Ranji season, there are just three pacers — Jaydev Unadkat, Dodda Ganesh and now Nabi.
Unadkat, in fact, knows this all too well. The Saurashtra stalwart, with four Tests caps, holds the record for most wickets in a Ranji season for a speedster — 67 in 2019-20.
“It’s not everyone’s cup of tea,” the left-arm pacer told The Hindu. “The weather is a big challenge. Ranji nowadays is not in the winters. It starts in October when it is 38 degrees in Rajkot. You have to last the whole season, play on different pitches, take wickets and win games. And in a country where to get an outright result, you always resort to turning tracks, being a fast-bowler is hard.”
Unadkat is particularly impressed by Nabi’s complete lack of stage fright. He is also delighted that Nabi has disproved, yet again, the theory that rampaging speed is a prerequisite.
“When I was in the reckoning for the Indian team, all I wanted to do was make the best batters play [the ball] all the time,” Unadkat said. “If I could do that, I knew I had the skill-set to trouble any batter. I see that belief in Nabi. He wants to get the best batters out. Some bowlers get into a shell if they’re bowling to bigger names. And if they’re bowling to set batters, the lines could be defensive. But in him, I feel it is always attacking.”
The recently concluded season was evidence enough. In an era where teams bat deep, 43 of Nabi’s 60 wickets were of those in the top-seven. The Ranji final was the perfect microcosm — K.L. Rahul and R. Smaran caught behind; Karun Nair bowled; and Mayank Agarwal leg-before.
Unsurprisingly, there is heightened clamour for Nabi to be included in the Indian team, but before that, he must manage the burden of expectations in the upcoming Indian Premier League, after being bought for an impressive ₹8.4 crore by Delhi Capitals.
Transferable qualities? Nabi’s suffocating control, late movement and lack of stage fright are attributes that could translate well from domestic to international cricket. | Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar
“Once he plays IPL and is tested, there will be people saying ‘he isn’t good enough for the international level, it’s just the domestic’,” Unadkat said. “I hope he has the attitude where he doesn’t care about all those things.
“I was actually heartbroken for Anshul Kamboj when he played in England [Manchester, 2025], and people started judging him after one game. I know how difficult it is to come out of it because it took me 12 years to get another chance [after Test debut].
“The only thing that comes to my mind in order to excel in internationals is to be 100% all the time. The level of consistency has to be a little higher than domestic. Skill-wise, I believe he [Nabi] has whatever it takes. So don’t really need to push and do something different,” the 34-year-old added.
ALSO READ | Quiz: On Ranji Trophy 2025-26
Nabi, for now, is sleeping on a bed of roses. But Krishna Kumar is confident that he knows how to handle the thorns too. Nabi, after all, did not shy away from travelling all the way to Bengaluru from north Kashmir in 2019 to play league cricket and keep his competitive juices flowing.
“He is very, very calm, and even if he doesn’t get a wicket in a session, he says, ‘Sir no problem, main apni jagah pe bowling karta rahunga’ [I will keep bowling in my areas]. Sometimes, the batters will also bat well and score runs. So you have to be patient.
“But Nabi knows his strengths. In the [2025] Duleep Trophy, he got five wickets against East Zone, including four in four balls. In the second match against South Zone, he got only one wicket. But there was no change in his attitude. He has a very sound mind.”
Published - March 07, 2026 12:35 am IST
Weekend Sport
Source: TheHindu
Related Posts: Auqib Nabi Dar Breaks Records Meet Auqib Nabi Dar Auqib Nabi claims 7th fifer Tennis-Sabalenka eyes claycourt supremacy with Gauff hoping to be second time lucky Bins! Bins! Arsenal Wins! Gunners Assert Supremacy Over Inter! Battle for spin bowling supremacy on cards as England take on Lanka in Super 8s Is Milad-un-Nabi Same As Eid-e-Milad PM Narendra Modi extends Milad-un-Nabi Are banks open or closed today to mark 1st Friday after Eid-i-Milad-ul-Nabi How Dr Umar Un Nabi Turned Into A Suspected Suicide Bomber
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has said Sunrisers Leeds' signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed "indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians". Gavaskar's comments are the most high-profile criticism of Sunrisers' deal for Abrar at last week's Hundred auction
5 hours ago
The US artificial intelligence (AI) firm Anthropic is looking to hire a chemical weapons and high-yield explosives expert to try to prevent "catastrophic misuse" of its software. In other words, it fears that its AI tools might tell someone how to make chemical or radioactive weapons
5 hours ago
If one wants to explore the many debates and controversies surrounding the Congress and its role in shaping India’s political trajectory, there may soon be a new address in the capital to turn to. At 3, Safdarjung Lane, the official residence of Nishikant Dubey — the Bharatiya Janata Party MP
5 hours ago
Chelsea have been handed a Premier League record fine of £10.75m and a suspended transfer ban. It was a result of the club making secret payments to unregistered agents and third-parties over transfers between 2011 and 2018. But it could have been a lot worse
5 hours ago
Kerala Congress (M), BDJS announce names of 12 candidates eachKerala Congress (M) and BDJS announced candidates for the upcoming assembly polls, including KC(M) chairman Jose K Mani from Pala and 12 others from BDJS. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:36 AM IST By Vishnu Varma
5 hours ago
Iran’s National Security Chief Ali Larijani on Monday penned a note to Muslim countries, questioning their lack of support for Tehran as the US-Israeli war is now entering its third week with no clear end in sight, disrupting global energy supplies and raising fears of a spike in global inflation
5 hours ago
Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi expressed strong displeasure over Dr. Asif Nazar being considered for the Lahorighat Assembly ticket, citing Nazar's alleged association with an individual charged in an attack on Bordoloi. Bordoloi wrote to AICC General Secretary Jitendra Singh
5 hours ago
A sessions court in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district on Monday convicted five persons and acquitted 35 others in connection with a 2016 case in which seven Dalits were assaulted in the town of Una, The Indian Express reported. Additional Sessions Judge Jignesh Pandya of the court in Veraval
5 hours ago
It's Hollywood's biggest night. The 98th Academy Awards featured emotional speeches, comical relief and a bevy of backstage fun. But it was perhaps a night to forget for Timothée Chalamet. As well as losing out to Michael B Jordan for best actor and One Battle After Another for best picture
5 hours ago
US President Donald Trump on Monday said more than 30 mine laying ships of Iran have been destroyed which has affected Tehran’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. “We are hammering their capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz with more
5 hours ago
Love Horoscope Today for March 17, 2026: A spontaneous moment could lead to a meaningful connectionLove Horoscope Today, March 17, 2026: Find daily astrological predictions for all sun signs. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:28 AM IST By Neeraj Dhankher Share via Copy link Aries: Mars is pushing you to
5 hours ago
Dubai arrests Iranian drone strike survivors after they sent explosion photos to loved ones3 foreigner nationals who survived drone strike in Dubai have been arrested after sending photos of the explosions to family members. Updated on: Mar 16
5 hours ago
‘Firms need to move to adaptive, energy-efficient AI models’Sarah Hooker is convinced that the future lies in AI systems that use less computing power, cost less to run and can adapt to the needs of users. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 6:58 AM IST By Shweta Taneja Share via Copy link In the last
5 hours ago
Baghdad witnessed a significant drone and rocket attack on the U.S. embassy early Tuesday. This incident marks the most intense assault since the commencement of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. Iraqi security forces have heightened their presence across the capital. The Green Zone
5 hours ago
Russell Wilson trade update: Chiefs hand a shock to Giants QB with Justin Fields move Published on: Mar 17, 2026 5:03 AM IST By Khushi Arora Share via Copy link New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) waves to fans after the game against the Dallas Cowboys (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5 hours ago
![London [UK], March 17 (ANI): The Premier League has completed a disciplinary process with Chelsea FC in respect of historical breaches relating to Financial](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/chelsea-fined-and-faces-supended-transfer-ban-by-premier-league.webp?height=520)
London [UK], March 17 (ANI): The Premier League has completed a disciplinary process with Chelsea FC in respect of historical breaches relating to Financial Reporting and Third Party Investment.In 2022, Chelsea FC’s current owners voluntarily reported to the League that they had evidence of
5 hours ago
A Bengaluru-based cafe has drawn attention on social media after adding a 5 per cent “Gas Crisis Charge" to a customer’s lemonade order, sparking debate on social media platform X. The unusual fee, applied on a bill for two mint lemonades, has left many users amused and some questioning its
5 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Still using an older laptop? These Intel 13th Gen laptops show what modern performance feels likeIntel 13th Gen laptops bring improved performance
5 hours ago
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is planning to delay a high stakes visit to China later in March by about a month because of the Iran war. "We've requested that we delay it a month or so," he told reporters at the White House
5 hours ago
LDF ally ISJD, UDF ally RSP name candidates for four seats eachThe ISJD and RSP announced their candidates for Kerala Assembly polls, with ISJD's K Krishnankutty retiring from politics and RSP seeking assembly representation. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:30 AM IST By Vishnu Varma
5 hours ago
Horoscope Today, March 17, 2026: Operational strategies at work need refinementHoroscope Today: Read the astrological predictions for each zodiac sign based on an expert's guidance on March 17, 2026. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:19 AM IST By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma
5 hours ago
The report from Elara Capital said retail gasoline and diesel prices “could be fully protected through excise cuts until roughly $110/bbl, beyond which price hikes on diesel and gasoline would become inevitable”. Also Read :Fino Payments Bank Shares Fall To 52-Week Low Amid Probe Reports;
5 hours ago
Punjab Assembly session: House passes motion against LoP Bajwa over ‘band player’ remarkThe Punjab assembly condemned opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa for alleged derogatory remarks about a minister, leading to chaos and a walkout by Congress. Published on: Mar 17
5 hours ago
More than a thousand citizens in Ladakh's Leh and Kargil regions rallied on Monday, echoing calls for statehood and adherence to the Sixth Schedule. Leaders from the Apex Body Leh alongside the Kargil Democratic Alliance expressed their discontent regarding the central government's stance
5 hours ago
Menstrual pain is often dismissed as an inevitable part of being a woman. But when cramps become debilitating, interfere with daily life or are accompanied by chronic pelvic discomfort, they may signal something more serious. One such condition is endometriosis – a long-term disorder affecting
5 hours ago
Khushbu Sundar comes out in support of Trisha amid her viral pics with Vijay: ‘She is one of the most dignified women’Khushbu Sundar has addressed the online chatter surrounding the public appearance of Vijay and Trisha Krishnan, after the divorce petition filed by Sangeeta. Mar 17, 2026
5 hours ago
Rex Culpepper's fiancee pays sweet tribute after tragic bike accident death: ‘I don’t regret' Published on: Mar 17, 2026 4:55 AM IST By Yash Nitish Bajaj Share via Copy link Former Syracuse quarterback Rex Culpepper died after an accident on Saturday (Instagram/Rex Culpepper) Rex Culpepper
5 hours ago
