From Tennis Ball Cricket to Red Ball Domination
Growing up in Baramulla, Kashmir, Auqib Nabi Dar honed his skills on rough cricket grounds where fast bowlers couldn’t even wear spikes. Unlike many aspiring pacers, he adapted early, focusing on wrist position and swing rather than sheer pace. His relentless self-improvement led to a smooth yet deceptive mix of inswingers and outswingers, making him J&K’s go-to strike bowler with both the new and old ball.
His cricketing journey began with words of wisdom from his seniors at Baramulla Cricket Club: “Work in silence. Never talk back. Show them what you are when playing, because nobody can stop you on the run-up.” Those words became his guiding principle, shaping him into a lethal yet unassuming pacer.
Record-Breaking Season in the Ranji Trophy
At 28, Auqib has become J&K’s highest wicket-taker since his debut in 2016, surpassing veteran Parvez Rasool. His tally of 42 wickets this season alone accounts for nearly half of his career total of 85 wickets, cementing his status as a dominant force in domestic cricket.
Despite early injuries, inadequate infrastructure, and being overlooked by IPL franchises, Auqib has never let setbacks define him. Instead, he channels his energy into red-ball cricket, his ultimate proving ground. “There are struggles, but I won’t talk about them. Playing red-ball cricket was my dream. Right now, Ranji is my biggest stage,” he says.
Quarterfinal Heroics Against Kerala
In a crucial Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Kerala in Pune, Auqib led J&K’s bowling attack with a sensational 5-wicket haul (5-36), strangling the opposition alongside his pace partner Umar Nazir. Their relentless pressure—each bowler delivering six maidens—restricted Kerala to 200/9 while chasing J&K’s 280.
His impact wasn’t limited to bowling. Batting at No.10, he smashed a crucial 30-ball 32, including two boundaries and a towering six, turning J&K’s middling 210/8 into a more formidable 280. His fearless approach caught Kerala off guard, reminiscent of a rock guitarist playing an electrifying solo—pure, unfiltered aggression.
The Silent Destroyer
Unlike many modern pacers who thrive on aggression and verbal battles, Auqib lets his bowling do the talking. His calm demeanor on the field, even while dismantling top-order batters, makes him even more intimidating. Inspired by Dale Steyn and Jasprit Bumrah, he embodies quiet confidence, celebrating wickets with minimal theatrics.
Against Kerala, he removed opener Rohan Kunnummal with a perfect outswinger in just his second ball. Shoun Roger followed soon after, undone by an inswinger caught behind without scoring. His afternoon spell sealed the game, dismissing the well-set Jalaj Saxena (67 off 78) and clean bowling Nedumankuzhy Basil. But it was his peach of a yorker to dismiss Kerala captain Sachin Baby on 2 (15) that became the highlight—leaving Kerala reeling at 11/3.
“We are in the quarters after a long time. Performing here is a big thing,” he said, downplaying his exclusion from India A selections.
A Natural Talent Nurtured in Baramulla
Auqib’s journey began in Baramulla, where he stood out from a young age. His under-19 performances quickly became local legend—five wickets against Punjab, a match-winning century against Saurashtra’s U19 team. Even without express pace, his control, cutters, and swing made him a nightmare for batters.
“He’s natural. His skills are god-gifted,” says team manager Hilal Ahmed. “He learned early to take everything—criticism and praise—with silence. He listens, he learns, and he executes.”
Despite initial resistance from his family, who wanted him to pursue medicine, his breakthrough innings against Saurashtra changed everything. When reporters reached his home, his father—a government teacher—declared, “Mera beta India khelke aayega. Aap likho.” (My son will play for India. You can write that down.)
Eyes on the Future
Although IPL franchises and India A selectors have overlooked him so far, Auqib remains unfazed. His focus remains on red-ball cricket, refining his craft, and proving his worth through sheer performance. Whether in Karnataka’s local leagues or mentoring young cricketers back home, he is constantly evolving.
For now, his silent dominance continues—one wicket, one spell, one match at a time. The IPL and India call-up may not have arrived yet, but like his unspoken determination, something big is quietly brewing.(online casino)