Mumbai: From the confines of his room in Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir star Auqib Nabi watched a large crowd celebrate his entry into the IPL on auction day. But, he says, the “ultimate goal” is to play and win matches for India.
Long before he lifted the Ranji Trophy with his J&K teammates, Nabi had grabbed attention for his exploits with the red ball. His persistent line, length, and discipline were key factors in the state’s maiden triumph — traits he now hopes to emulate with the Delhi Capitals.
“It was not about money; I wanted to play at least once. Even if I had got Rs 30 lakhs (base price), I wanted to play in IPL. Obviously, it felt good that DC took me in for such a huge amount,” Nabi, who was bought for Rs 8.40 crore, told reporters in a virtual interaction organised by Delhi Capitals on Friday.
Born on November 4, 1996, in Sheeri, Nabi grew up during years when conflict routinely disrupted daily life. Curfews, shutdowns, and long spells of tension often stalled sporting activity, pushing many families to prioritise secure careers over uncertain dreams.
His father, Ghulam Nabi Dar, an English teacher in a government school, hoped his son would become a doctor — a safe, respectable profession in an unstable environment.
Cricket, however, refused to loosen its grip. What began as tennis-ball cricket in narrow lanes — the most accessible form of the game in Kashmir’s small towns — slowly turned into a serious pursuit. Over time, Auqib’s perseverance won over his family, and when he finally broke into Under-19 cricket, his father became his strongest supporter.
When the IPL auction hammer finally came down in his favour, emotions ran high at home and across the neighbourhood. People from the area spoke of pride and disbelief, calling it a historic moment for local cricket.
