The cricketing landscape of Jammu and Kashmir has reached a historic zenith, finding resonance not just in the stadiums, but in the highest corridors of Indian governance. Ahead of the much-anticipated IPL 2026 season, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his latest Mann Ki Baat address to celebrate a new national hero: Auqib Nabi. The right-arm pacer, who recently secured a life-changing INR 8.40 crore contract with Delhi Capitals (DC)has become the poster child for the region’s sporting renaissance.
Nabi’s rise from the rugged terrains of the North to the glitz of the IPL is a narrative of grit that transcends cricket. As the Delhi Capitals prepare to unleash their new weapon, the Prime Minister’s recognition serves as a testament to Nabi’s role in J&K’s historic first-ever Ranji Trophy title, signalling a shift in the valley’s sporting destiny.
PM Narendra Modi lauds DC’s Auqib Nabi as a national inspiration
During his Sunday address to the nation, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the monumental achievement of the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team. For a side that had waited seven decades to taste domestic glory, their Ranji Trophy 2025-26 victory was nothing short of a fairy tale. PM Modi specifically pinpointed Nabi’s contribution, noting that his success is now a topic of discussion across the entire country.
“Today, the performance of young Kashmiri bowler Auquib Nabi, who took 60 wickets in the Ranji season, is being discussed across the country,” the Prime Minister remarked. He emphasized that Nabi’s journey, culminating in a massive IPL contract acts, as a catalyst for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. By shifting the focus toward Nabi’s discipline and skill, the PM underscored how sports are becoming a primary vehicle for integration and excellence in the region. This ‘special mention’ has added an extra layer of pressure and prestige to Nabi’s upcoming debut for the Delhi Capitals, where he will be expected to translate this domestic dominance onto the global stage.
From Hubballi to Delhi: Nabi’s exceptional run in the domestic season
The statistics behind Nabi’s selection for Delhi Capitals are staggering, justifying the intense bidding war between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad that eventually saw DC land him for a whopping 8.40 crore. His Ranji Trophy campaign was a masterclass in seam bowling; he scalped 60 wickets in 17 innings at a remarkable economy of 2.65. His ability to maintain a strike rate of 28.00 in red-ball cricket proved he was ready for the next level.
Nabi’s big-game temperament was most evident during the knockout stages. He bagged back-to-back five-wicket hauls in the second semi-final and the final, including a career-defining spell of 7/40. However, it is his versatility that makes him an IPL asset. His white-ball credentials are equally impressive:
- Vijay Hazare Trophy: 14 wickets in 7 innings (Econ: 5.77).
- Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: 15 wickets in 7 innings (Econ: 7.55).
Nabi’s knack for moving the ball in both directions at a brisk pace makes him the perfect fit for the Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack. As he prepares to don the DC jersey, he carries the weight of a Prime Minister’s praise and the dreams of a valley finally finding its voice through the roar of the stadium.
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