Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi Dar has managed to get into India’s preparation for the match against Afghanistan despite being left out of the main Test squad. He was selected as one of six net bowlers ahead of the one-off Test that starts on June 6. Wiry UP leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari, who plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, has been assigned to net duties with Auqib. The think tank is aware that the Afghanistan team would probably field several wrist spinners.
IPL rookie Prince Yadav, left-arm fast Gurjapneet Singh, left-arm wrist spinner Shivang Kumar, and off-spinner Saransh Jain will join them in the camp. They will all work in the nets to replicate match conditions.
“Gurjapneet Singh, Auqib Nabi, Prince Yadav, Saransh Jain, Zeeshan Ansari and Shivang Kumar have joined the Indian squad as net bowlers to assist the team in the build-up to the Test,” a BCCI release stated.
BCCI Wants To Give Siraj and Prasidh Resting Space
“Yes, Auqib Nabi has been asked to join the India nets. It is not just Auqib, but there are six others who have also been called to join the India nets. Due to extreme weather conditions, the two premier fast bowlers, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, can’t go flat out in the nets after a grueling three games in seven days with travel. The batsmen would need adequate practice,” a BCCI source privy to the development told PTI.
In just five days, Siraj and Prasidh participated in Qualifier 1, Qualifier 2, and the final. They also had to fly to Dharamsala, Chandigarh, and Ahmedabad, respectively. Punjab pacer Gurnoor Brar got the opportunity before Auqib, who finished as the top wicket-taker with 60 wickets while leading Jammu and Kashmir to a Ranji Trophy victory, for a spot in the national team.
Auqib has been positioned as one of the backup alternatives rather than being brought into the actual 15-member team. The three fast bowlers listed in the 15 are Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar. Auqib will only be included in the main group if any of the three is sidelined.
Although players who participated in the IPL final are anticipated to miss the opening day’s drills, the Indian team is set to have its first training session on Tuesday afternoon.
