Jammu and Kashmir's Auqib Nabi earns India call-up; Wasim Jaffer: better late than never

Auqib Nabi earned his first India call-up as a replacement, and former opener Wasim Jaffer said he should have been in the original squad. Nabi took 104 wickets across two Ranji Trophy seasons, including 60 in 2025-26, helping Jammu and Kashmir win their maiden title. Jaffer called it “better late than never” after Bumrah’s fitness issues created the opportunity. The pace bowler also impressed on India A’s Sri Lanka tour with six wickets in two first-class games, while showing promise as a lower-order batter.