India’s decision to include Auqib Nabi in the ODI squad for the upcoming home series against the <a href="https://cricket.international/watch-virat-kohli-and-shubman-gill-share-a-funny-moment-ahead-of-1st-odi-vs-west-indies/" title="Watch: Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill share a funny moment ahead of 1st ODI vs West Indies“>West Indies has prompted questions about the Jammu and Kashmir pacer’s experience in 50-over cricket. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has specifically raised doubts over whether Nabi is ready to handle the demands of bowling 10 overs in an ODI.
Auqib Nabi has established himself as a successful red-ball bowler in domestic cricket, but his white-ball record is considerably less extensive. His limited IPL exposure also ended without a wicket in five appearances during the 2026 season, giving Chopra reason to question whether he can immediately make an impact in international white-ball cricket.
Auqib Nabi’s stats in List-A, T20 and IPL
Nabi has played 36 List-A matches in his career, taking 56 wickets at an average of 27.37 and an economy rate of 5.20. His best figures are 4/39, and he has three four-wicket hauls.
In T20 cricket, Nabi has featured in 39 matches and claimed 43 wickets at an average of 25.27, with an economy rate of 8.10. His best performance is 4/16.
His IPL experience, however, remains limited. Nabi played five matches for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026 and bowled 78 deliveries, conceding 149 runs without taking a wicket. His economy rate stood at 11.46.
The contrast with his red-ball record is significant. Nabi has taken 170 wickets from 45 first-class matches at an impressive average of 18.88 and an economy rate of 2.91. He has also registered 16 five-wicket hauls and four 10-wicket match hauls.
“I am really happy for Auqib Nabi, but at the same time, deep down, I am also a bit concerned” – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra welcomed Nabi’s selection but questioned whether the pacer will actually get an opportunity during the three-match ODI series against the West Indies. He also pointed to the competition among India’s pace options as another hurdle for the Jammu and Kashmir cricketer.
“I am really happy for Auqib Nabi, but at the same time, deep down, I am also a bit concerned because he is still not going to get an opportunity. You have selected him, but will you give him a chance? I am not sure. It just feels like: Is Auqib Nabi ready for white-ball cricket? Is he actually going to make a difference?” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“He does not have much pace” – Aakash Chopra on Auqib Nabi
Aakash Chopra also highlighted Nabi’s pace and questioned whether he has demonstrated enough in white-ball cricket to handle different phases of an ODI innings. He said:
“Let’s be honest about it, he does not have much pace. He has to bowl 10 overs, that too in different phases, so is he ready for that? I have not seen the evidence yet. I am going to wait and watch.”
Aakash Chopra also referred to Nabi’s IPL campaign while explaining his reservations, although he remained open to seeing him get an opportunity in upcoming matches.
“The kind of performances we saw in the IPL, I don’t think it was convincing enough to show that he can bowl in all three phases of an innings. I am still optimistic that he will get to play matches in New Zealand. He is almost ideal for those conditions. But against West Indies on flat pitches? I am not sure,” he added.
Source: cricketaddictor.com
