The IPL 2026 auction had its fair share of drama, surprises, and record-breaking bids — but one name that truly stood out was Auqib Nabi. The 26-year-old pacer from Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir, became the most expensive player from the region in IPL history after Delhi Capitals secured him for a staggering ₹8.4 crore.
Registered at a base price of ₹30 lakh, Nabi's value skyrocketed as Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru got locked in a fierce bidding war. DC eventually sealed the deal — a massive 23x jump on his base price.
But this wasn’t just a blind bid. Auqib Nabi has been consistently proving himself across domestic formats, quietly building one of the most impressive résumés in Indian domestic cricket.
In the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he was J&K’s leading wicket-taker, claiming 15 wickets in 7 innings at an economy of 7.4. Against Madhya Pradesh, he put in a stunning all-round display — picking 3 wickets for 19 runs in 4 overs, and also smashing 32 off just 21 balls.
Earlier this year, Nabi made Duleep Trophy history by becoming the first player to take 4 wickets in 4 balls in the tournament’s history — a feat that turned heads across the cricketing community.
In the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, Auqib has already taken 29 wickets from 9 innings, including a brilliant 7-wicket haul against Rajasthan, which played a crucial role in taking J&K to the knockout stages. He has also contributed with the bat, scoring 146 runs in 7 innings, including a half-century — proving his credentials as a handy lower-order batter.
And his form isn't new. In the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy, Nabi finished as the second-highest wicket-taker with 44 wickets in 15 innings, including six five-wicket hauls.
Now part of a DC bowling unit that features stars like Mitchell Starc, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, and Kyle Jamieson, Nabi may not start every game. But his pace, aggression, and recent form make him one of the most exciting Indian fast-bowling prospects to watch.
From Baramulla to the big league — Auqib Nabi is ready for his moment.
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