Who is Auqib Nabi, the Jammu & Kashmir cricketer brought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 8.40 crore at IPL 2026 auction?

A right-arm medium pacer, with an ability to move the ball both ways and maintain excellent control, Nabi has modelled his action around South African fast bowling great Dale Steyn, who was his role model growing up.

“Just his aggression when bowling outswingers. I copied his action entirely. Recently, I admire Bumrah, an all-format bowler, and so, so skilled. Put him on any pitch, he has that attitude of ‘I will take wickets’, he told The Indian Express earlier this year.

Growing up, cricket was not in Nabi’s family plans. His father dreamt of him becoming a doctor. However, his passion for cricket gradually won over his father, and he became his biggest ally once Nabi made it into Under-19 cricket.

“Back then, there was no formal coaching really in Baramulla. Now things have changed. So I played my first real red-ball cricket only after 19. I happened to accompany a friend for state trials when I was picked,” he told The Indian Express earlier this year,” he said.

Nabi began with tennis-ball cricket on the streets and later progressed to organised play after being encouraged by a friend to attend trials.

Nabi made his Jammu & Kashmir debut in the 2019-20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In 27 T20 matches for his state, he has taken 28 wickets at an average of 26.39.

Nabi has been one of the standout performers in India’s domestic scene. In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, he claimed 44 wickets, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker. He also made headlines in the 2025 Duleep Trophy, becoming one of the few Indian bowlers to take four wickets in four balls in first-class cricket.

The pacer took 4/16 in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, which helped his side defend 159 runs against Bihar at Eden Gardens.