SHEERI (Baramulla): The stage was different, the opposition unfamiliar and the setting thousands of kilometres away from home. Yet Auqib Nabi responded in a manner that has come to define his cricketing journey — with fearless intent.
Making his County Championship debut for Surrey at The Kia Oval, the Jammu and Kashmir all-rounder made an immediate impact with both bat and ball, helping his side secure a dramatic one-wicket victory over Yorkshire.
With Surrey needing eight runs and only two wickets in hand while chasing 185, Nabi walked to the crease and wasted little time. Facing experienced England seamer Ben Coad, he launched a towering six over deep mid-wicket, reducing the equation to just two runs.
Attempting to finish the contest with another attacking stroke on the next delivery, he was caught at mid-on. Although his innings lasted only two balls, the six shifted momentum in Surrey’s favour before Dan Worrall eventually sealed the thrilling win with a boundary.
Earlier, Nabi had already left his mark with the ball, claiming two wickets on debut, including the prized scalp of Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
The performance marked a memorable start to his county stint, which comes only days after Surrey signed him for the final three County Championship fixtures against Yorkshire, Sussex and Glamorgan.
From seam bowler to genuine all-rounder
While Nabi first earned recognition as a right-arm medium-fast bowler, his transformation into a dependable all-rounder has elevated his stature in domestic cricket.
That evolution was most vividly demonstrated during the Vijay Hazare Trophy on January 8 this year when Jammu and Kashmir were reeling at 90 for seven against Hyderabad in Rajkot. Batting at No. 8, Nabi produced one of the finest innings of his career, smashing an unbeaten 114 off 82 deliveries to script an unlikely victory.
The innings reinforced what had already become evident through his bowling exploits.
Nabi emerged as one of the most dominant bowlers in Indian domestic cricket over the last two seasons, claiming 44 wickets in eight Ranji Trophy matches in 2024-25 before improving further with 60 wickets in 10 matches during the 2025-26 season.
His combined tally of 104 Ranji wickets across two seasons played a pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir’s historic maiden Ranji Trophy triumph, earning him the Man of the Tournament award.
He also impressed in white-ball cricket, taking 15 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and six wickets in the Duleep Trophy, performances that paved the way for his India A selection during the tour of Sri Lanka.
Humble beginnings in Sheeri
The story behind Nabi’s rise is rooted in the small village of Sheeri in Baramulla district.
Unlike many modern cricketers, he did not grow up with easy access to academies, turf wickets or professional infrastructure. Proper training facilities were located several kilometres away, requiring long and regular travel.
Even basic cricket equipment was often beyond reach. Family members recall that Nabi did not own spike shoes when he appeared for some of his early cricket trials.
Despite the limitations, discipline became his greatest strength.
Relatives describe a routine built around early-morning workouts, gym sessions and long hours of practice. Cricket was not initially the preferred career choice at home, with his father hoping he would pursue medicine. But Nabi’s passion for fast bowling gradually overrode every obstacle.
He started his cricketing journey with Sheeri Star before progressing through local clubs and eventually breaking into the Jammu and Kashmir setup.
On his first-class debut against Jharkhand in 2020, he announced his arrival with a five-wicket haul — a performance that earned him the nickname “Sheeri Baramulla Express”.
Ranji hero to IPL millionaire
If his debut season hinted at promise, the last two years transformed him into one of India’s most sought-after domestic cricketers.
The 104 Ranji wickets not only helped Jammu and Kashmir lift their maiden Ranji Trophy but also brought national recognition.
That success translated into a major payday at the 2026 IPL auction. Entering with a base price of ₹30 lakh, Nabi was snapped up by Delhi Capitals for a staggering ₹8.40 crore.
Although he featured in only four IPL matches and went wicketless, the contract itself reflected the value placed on his domestic performances.
The rewards did not stop there.
In August 2026, Nabi received the biggest honour of his career when he was named in India’s senior Test squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka as a replacement for injured pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.
Though he did not make the playing XI, the selection was historic, making him the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to receive a call-up to India’s senior Test squad.
New chapter in England
His ongoing stint with Surrey now offers another important stage in his development.
English county cricket has long been regarded as one of the toughest examinations for fast bowlers, demanding discipline, adaptability and the ability to exploit conditions.
Nabi’s first outing suggested he is ready for the challenge.
Two wickets with the ball, a crucial six under pressure and involvement in a dramatic one-wicket victory provided an encouraging start to his county career.
From the fields of Sheeri to the Ranji Trophy summit, from an ₹8.40-crore IPL contract to an India Test call-up, and now from Baramulla to The Oval, Auqib Nabi’s rise continues to gather momentum.
And if his debut performance for Surrey is any indication, the “Sheeri Baramulla Express” still has many more stations to cross.
