India on Saturday, October 31, added fast bowler Auqib Nabi to their squad for the first three ODIs against New Zealand, a day after Prasidh Krishna was ruled out of the entire five-match series with a left hamstring injury.
The 29-year-old Nabi had originally been named only for the fourth and fifth ODIs.
“The Men’s Selection Committee has added Auqib Nabi to the squad for the first three ODIs against New Zealand. The right-arm pacer, who was initially in the squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs of the series, will be a part of the Indian squad from the start of the ODI series,” the BCCI said in a release.
Krishna had been picked for the first three ODIs subject to fitness clearance after getting injured in the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati on September 30, where Nabi made his debut. He reportedly needs more time to build up the workload for matches and is expected to play India A’s third unofficial Test from November 7, before the two-Test series starts on November 19.
The ODI series begins at Eden Park in Auckland on November 4. Nabi joins Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Anshul Kamboj and Gurnoor Brar in the pace group, with Nitish Kumar Reddy available only for the opening game before linking up with India A in Lincoln.
How has Auqib Nabi performed before NZ vs IND 2026 ODIs?
Auqib Nabi’s call-up follows a productive fortnight with India A. In the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, Nabi took three for 69 and then three for 28 from 10 overs, a match haul of six for 97 in 28 overs.
His second innings was decisive. Nabi bowled Rhys Mariu with the first ball of his second over, trapped Tim Robinson lbw with one that straightened, then came around the wicket to bowl left-hander Matthew Boyle. New Zealand A were 13 for 3 and, chasing 313, reached 187 for 9 when bad light ended the match one wicket short.
His ODI record is thin. On debut, he finished with none for 84 from 8.5 overs in Guwahati.
The selectors also had a domestic season to weigh in. Auqib Nabi was the leading wicket-taker in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy with 60 wickets in 10 matches at 12.56, the third-highest by a fast bowler in a Ranji season. He took seven five-wicket hauls as Jammu & Kashmir won their maiden title, including 12 for 110 in the quarterfinal against Madhya Pradesh, nine for 123 in the semifinal against Bengal, and five for 54 in the final against Karnataka.
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Edited by Srinjoy
