STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Delhi Capitals at the TATA IPL 2026 Auction in Abu Dhabi have splashed a whopping Rs 8.40 crore to secure J&K’s explosive fast bowler Aquib Nabi.
Aquib headlined a stellar contingent of eight J&K cricketers shortlisted for the auction, underscoring the region’s burgeoning talent pool. Joining him in the auction were versatile all-rounder Lone Nasir Muzaffar, pacer Waseem Bashir Khanday, left-arm spinning all-rounder Abid Mushtaq, Vivrant Sharma, Qamran Iqbal, Atif Mushtaq, and Murgan Ashwin.
Adding to the pride, four J&K stars have already been retained by IPL heavyweights: dynamic batter Abdul Samad with Lucknow Super Giants, speedster Umran Malik with Kolkata Knight Riders, promising pacer Yudvir Singh Charak with Rajasthan Royals, and seam bowler Rasikh Salam (now with Baroda) by Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
From a pool of 1,390 aspirants, the BCCI shortlisted 240 Indian and 110 overseas players for this high-stakes event, where Aquib’s meteoric rise stole the spotlight.
Aquib’s stats are nothing short of phenomenal: 73 wickets in just 13 First-Class matches since last season, including a dominant 44 wickets in eight games during 2024-25 with six five-wicket hauls, capped by a match-winning quarterfinal spell and a hat-trick in the Duleep Trophy. This season, he’s already notched 29 more wickets with three five-fors, plus 15 scalps in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy league stage. Such lethal consistency marks him as India’s most devastating new-ball predator.
Contacted post-auction, a beaming Aquib credited the J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) for nurturing his talent. “This IPL platform will give me the stage to perform at the highest level, prove my mettle, and earn the national selectors’ nod,” Aquib said.
“I owe it all to my parents, coaches, and the unwavering support from JKCA administrators, including Brig Anil Gupta, Vidhya Bhsskar and support staff especially Head coach Ajay Sharma.”
The Jammu and Kashmir cricket fraternity has warmly welcomed Aaqib’s landmark selection in the IPL auction, describing it as a historic moment for the region. Fetching the highest-ever price tag for any J&K player, Aaqib’s achievement marks a triumphant breakthrough on the national stage. Prominent figures including former cricketer Abdul Qayoom, Meenu Singh Slathia, Sarabjeet Singh, Vijay Sharma, and Dhruv Mahajan have extended their heartfelt congratulations, celebrating this proud chapter in J&K cricket’s illustrious journey.
