Every IPL cycle brings one domestic pacer who rises quietly, refuses to fade, and suddenly becomes the auction room’s most whispered name. This time, it’s Jammu & Kashmir’s Auqib Nabi, the right-arm seamer whose work in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy has been nothing short of a fast-bowling audition for the big stage.
And now, with the IPL 2026 auction set for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, teams with shaky domestic pace stocks are watching closely. What makes Nabi valuable isn’t just his shape-with-the-new-ball style, reminiscent of Bhuvneshwar Kumar; it’s the timing of his surge. Several franchises are short on reliable Indian seamers, and Nabi suddenly looks like the perfect fix.
DC’s Domestic Pace Crisis Intensifies
Delhi Capitals aren’t short on big names; they’re short on Indian pacers they can trust. With Mohit Sharma retired, the franchise is down to two domestic seamers: Mukesh Kumar, who leaked an economy of 10.32 in IPL 2025, and T. Natarajan, who bowled only three overs due to injuries. Their SMAT form doesn’t inspire confidence either. Mukesh has gone for 1/41 and 0/53, while Natarajan is steady but still recovering his rhythm.
This is where Nabi becomes essential. He may not be express pace, but DC don’t need 150 kmph, they need new-ball control, swing, and powerplay breakthroughs. Pairing Nabi with Mitchell Starc could finally give DC a stable opening combination instead of relying on overseas band-aids every season.
SRH’s Overreliance on Overseas Quick-Fire Power
SunRisers Hyderabad have the opposite problem, too many overseas pacers; they simply cannot fit into one XI. With Pat Cummins, Brydon Carse, and Eshan Malinga already in hand, plus the batting necessity of Head and Klaasen, they’re boxed in. The Indian pace unit? Just Harshal Patel (a death specialist) and Jaydev Unadkat. After trading Mohammed Shami to LSG and releasing Simarjeet Singh, SRH are one injury away from a tactical disaster.
Nabi solves that instantly. He is a genuine new-ball bowler, something SRH desperately lacks. With him taking powerplay duties, Harshal can shift back to his natural death-overs rhythm, and SRH’s attack becomes balanced, not overloaded.
RR’s Indian Seam Depth Reaches Breaking Point
Rajasthan Royals rebuilt their squad aggressively after finishing ninth in IPL 2025, trading out Sanju Samson, bringing in Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, and assembling the formidable trio of Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, and Kwena Maphaka. Impressive as the overseas unit is, the Indian pace department is running on fumes.
Sandeep Sharma is trustworthy but not an ongoing lead bowler option as he has taken 11 wickets in his first 5 SMAT games; Tushar Deshpande (IPL 2025 economy 10.62) and Yudhvir Singh Charak (IPL 2025 economy 11.90) have performed extremely poorly.
RR can now count on a stable new-ball bowling partner from India to support Jofra Archer, thanks to Nabi. As power-play wickets are creating a much larger role in the direction of a game, Nabi’s accuracy and ability to create shape make him very important. The one thing RR needs is reliability, not explosive speed, which is something Nabi provides.
Delhi needs control, SRH needs balance, RR needs reliability, and Nabi gives each exactly what they’re lacking. If he carries this SMAT momentum into the auction, expect at least two of these three franchises to battle for him well beyond his base price.
Key Takeaway
Auqib Nabi isn’t just in form; he fills three different tactical gaps for three different IPL teams.
FAQs
1. What makes Auqib Nabi a valuable IPL option?
His new-ball swing, powerplay strike rate, and consistent domestic wickets.
2. Why do multiple IPL teams need him simultaneously?
Several franchises lack reliable Indian seamers and need powerplay specialists.
3. How could his role evolve in the IPL?
As a new-ball enforcer who builds pressure early and supports experienced death bowlers.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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