Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi has not yet made an appearance for the Delhi Capitals in his first Indian Premier League season. After defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL auction, the Capitals acquired Nabi for a substantial price of Rs 8.40 crore, but they are yet to find a spot for the young pacer in their starting lineup. After an amazing domestic season, Nabi entered his first IPL season. With 60 wickets, he was the Ranji Trophy’s best player. Jammu and Kashmir won their first Ranji trophy thanks to his game-winning performance in the final, defeating a formidable Karnataka team full of superstars.
Despite his recent success, Nabi has not played in the Capitals’ opening two games this season. What, then, has gone wrong? Why has Auqib Nabi not participated in any matches yet?
Prior to the April 8 game against Gujarat Titans, DC bowling coach Munaf Patel stated that the team has just not been able to include the fast bowler in the starting lineup thus far. Munaf praised Nabi and called him one of the team’s top performers while speaking to reporters at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
According to Munaf, DC is eager to give Nabi a chance in the IPL because of his exceptional work ethic. He noted that Nabi pushes himself to bowl 10 to 12 overs in the nets during the IPL, frequently continuing until he is ordered to stop, when most bowlers produce five to six overs. Nabi is adamant about bowling a bit more even after that.
“He is a very good kid. As fast bowlers, we are a little crazy, a little eccentric, but he is a very good kid. He has an incredible work ethic and he has never played in the IPL or been part of this ecosystem. He is working very hard; he bowls all the time. Most people bowl five to six overs in the nets, but he bowls 10 to 12 overs because he loves the art form. We have to go and stop him from bowling. Even then, he requests, ‘Sir, please let me bowl six more balls.’ He is very eager to learn and desperate to develop his variations,” Munaf Patel said ahead of the DC vs GT match.
The disparity in quality between domestic and IPL batting was another point made by the former India fast bowler. In the IPL, even decent balls can be hit for runs, while at the domestic level, a solid delivery is frequently sufficient to get the beat the batter. The team is working to make sure Nabi is ready for that change, according to Munaf.
“In domestic cricket, good balls are good balls and bad balls are bad balls. Batters are not always able to hit your good balls for six. But here, even good balls can go for runs. So he is trying to develop in that aspect,” he added.
Munaf concluded his statement by saying that Nabi is prepared for the game and would be given the chance when the team configuration permits it. Nabi might be drafted directly into the starting lineup if Delhi decides not to use an additional batter as the Impact Player.
“Auqib Nabi is ready to play. Sometimes it is difficult to handle this type of player, but he is such a good kid. We have asked him to stay prepared. The first chance we get, we will play him. If in a game we do not use a batter as Impact Player, we will bring in Auqib Nabi,” he said.
The Delhi Capitals’ third game of the season will take place against the Gujarat Titans. While GT is coming off two losses, DC has already won both of its games.
