Auqib Nabi has marked his long-awaited international arrival, making his debut for India in the second ODI against West Indies at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on September 30, 2026. KL Rahul presented Nabi with his India cap ahead of the match, a moment that capped a remarkable domestic journey for the Jammu and Kashmir swing bowler. India won the toss and chose to field first.
Nabi comes into the side in place of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. India enter the fixture leading the three-match series 1-0 after defeating West Indies by eight wickets in the first ODI at Thiruvananthapuram. Virat Kohli was the standout performer in that game, scoring 139 not out off 88 balls with nine sixes to bring up his 55th ODI century.
What makes Auqib Nabi a notable selection for India?
Nabi is a swing bowler recognised for his consistent line and length and his ability to move the ball in both directions. His sustained domestic output across two Ranji Trophy campaigns has been the central reason behind his India call-up.
Across the 2024-25 and 2025-26 Ranji Trophy seasons, Nabi claimed 104 wickets in total. His 2025-26 campaign stood out in particular: he finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 60 wickets in 17 innings at an average of 12.65, a performance that contributed directly to Jammu and Kashmir claiming their maiden Ranji Trophy title. He was also named Player of the Tournament in his side’s title triumph.
In first-class cricket overall, Nabi has taken 170 wickets in 45 matches, while his List A record stands at 56 wickets from 36 games. His ODI call-up came in the absence of Harshit Rana, giving the selectors the opportunity to hand the Jammu and Kashmir pacer his international debut.
How does Nabi’s debut fit into the current India vs West Indies series?
The second ODI in Guwahati is the middle fixture of a three-match series, with India already holding a 1-0 advantage. Nabi’s inclusion adds a specialist swing-bowling option to an attack that also features Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar and Prasidh Krishna.
By bringing Nabi in, India have prioritised bowling variety over the batting depth that Nitish Kumar Reddy offered in the first ODI. With the toss going India’s way and the team fielding first, Nabi will have the chance to make an immediate impression with the new ball at Barsapara Cricket Stadium.
The conditions in Guwahati could suit a bowler of Nabi’s profile, though how the pitch and atmosphere behave on the day will ultimately shape the impact of his debut.
India’s Playing XI for the second ODI vs West Indies:
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (wk), Naman Dhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna.
