In a landmark moment at the IPL 2026 auction, uncapped Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi Dar was acquired by the Delhi Capitals for a staggering ₹8.4 crore, emerging as one of the biggest surprises of the event.
At 29, the right-arm medium-fast bowler, affectionately known as the “Baramulla Express,” transitioned from domestic dominance to the glittering stage of the Indian Premier League, validating years of perseverance in a region where cricketing opportunities have historically been limited.
Born on November 4, 1996, in Baramulla to a government school teacher, Auqib Nabi honed his skills on uneven local pitches with limited infrastructure.
Auqib Nabi and his Emergence: The Baramulla Switch
His raw pace and seam movement gradually caught attention, but the breakthrough that shaped his career came during the 2015-16 local tournament season. Auqib hails from Sheeri, a place around 8 kilometres away from the Baramulla town, and his cricketing journey started from the same.
Playing for Sheeri Blasters against Baramulla Cricket Club (BCC), the then-19-year-old delivered an impressive spell, showcasing the potential that would later define him. Auqib played superbly, but his team fell to defeat. After his team lost the match, Auqib was visibly distraught as he left the field.
Two BCC players, Muzammil and Zubair, approached the young pacer with genuine sportsmanship. Rather than revelling solely in victory, they recognised his talent and invited him to join their side. That simple gesture proved pivotal.
At the Baramulla club, Hilal Ahmed Zargar played a key mentorship role for Auqib. A respected figure in J&K cricket who later served as team manager, Zargar mentored the young bowler at the BCC and helped Auqib to find a platform.
“Wo mayush baitha tha.. (He was sitting distraught). Two of our players went to him and invited him to play for our club. He decided to join and after the camp, was straightaway selected for the U23 team,” Zargar said to MyKhel in an exclusive chat recently.
The switch to BCC opened new doors almost immediately. Auqib earned selection into the Jammu and Kashmir U-23 camp without prolonged trials. He used to take the long journey from Baramulla to Srinagar, and emerged through the ranks.
Those early struggles at the nets in Baramulla laid the foundation for sustained growth. Over the years, Auqib steadily climbed the domestic ladder, making his senior debut and gradually establishing himself as a potent strike bowler.
His crowning achievement arrived in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, where he emerged as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with a remarkable 60 wickets at an average of just 12.56, including seven five-wicket hauls. His performances were instrumental in guiding Jammu and Kashmir to their maiden Ranji Trophy title, with decisive contributions in the knockout stages.
Auqib Nabi’s journey underscores a profound truth in Indian cricket: talent often needs only a single act of recognition to flourish. From a modest ground in the Kashmir Valley to a massive IPL contract, his story is one of quiet determination and class.
As he prepares to don the Delhi Capitals jersey, Auqib carries not just the hopes of a franchise but the aspirations of an entire cricketing fraternity in Jammu and Kashmir.