Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi is yet to feature for Delhi Capitals in his maiden Indian Premier League season. The Capitals, who bought Nabi for a hefty sum of Rs 8.40 crore after beating SunRisers Hyderabad in the IPL auction, are yet to find a place for the young pacer in their line-up.
Nabi entered his maiden IPL stint on the back of an incredible domestic season. He was the standout performer in the Ranji Trophy, picking up 60 wickets. His match-winning spell in the final helped Jammu and Kashmir clinch their maiden Ranji title, beating a strong Karnataka side stacked with superstars.
However, despite coming off a high, Nabi has not featured in the first two games for the Capitals this season.
So what has gone wrong? Why has Auqib Nabi not played a game yet?
Speaking ahead of the match against Gujarat Titans, set to be played on April 8, DC bowling coach Munaf Patel said that the team has simply not been able to fit the fast bowler into the playing XI so far.
Speaking to reporters at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Munaf showered praise on Nabi, calling him one of the best players in the squad.
Munaf revealed that DC are keen to give Nabi an opportunity in the IPL, especially given his outstanding work ethic. He pointed out that while most bowlers deliver five to six overs in the nets during the IPL, Nabi pushes himself to bowl 10 to 12 overs, often continuing until he is asked to stop.
Even then, Nabi insists on bowling a little more.
“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.
AUQIB NABI IS MATCH READY: MUNAF
The former India fast bowler also highlighted the gulf in quality between domestic and IPL batting. At the domestic level, a good delivery is often enough to beat a batter, but in the IPL, even quality balls can be dispatched for runs. Munaf said the team is working to ensure Nabi is prepared for that transition.
“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 by saying that Nabi is match-ready and will get his opportunity when the team combination allows it. If Delhi opt against using an extra batter as the Impact Player, Nabi could be drafted straight into the XI.
“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.
Delhi Capitals are set to face Gujarat Titans in their third game of the season. DC have won both their matches so far, while GT arrive at Kotla on the back of two defeats.
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