Anshul Kamboj Gets Test Call Up, Auqib Nabi Left Waiting
Anshul Kamboj is getting another shot at Test cricket, while Auqib Nabi will have to hold off for now. Kamboj has been named to join India’s 16-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, as well as the first three One Day Internationals (ODIs). On the other hand, Nabi, who has been impressive in domestic games, has been picked for the last two matches of the five-ODI series but has not made the Test team.
Kamboj’s inclusion comes after a solid performance in domestic cricket. He made his Test debut against England in July 2025, but was dropped shortly after. This new opportunity allows him to leverage that experience and vie for a more permanent spot in the squad.
Despite Nabi’s standout achievements in the recent domestic season, he has not been chosen for the Test side. The Jammu and Kashmir pacer took 60 wickets in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, leading his team to its first title and finishing as the season’s top wicket-taker. He was also awarded Player of the Tournament. Many fans are puzzled by his exclusion, especially since the conditions in New Zealand might suit his bowling style. Some have argued that other players like Mukesh Kumar could have made better choices than Kamboj for this tour.
KAMBOJ SHINES IN DOMESTIC GAMES
Kamboj recently performed well in a Ranji Trophy match against Himachal Pradesh in Rohtak, taking six wickets across two innings to help his team win by six points. His bowling figures were 4/56 in the first innings and 2/18 in the second innings.
In that match, Himachal Pradesh was bowled out for 253. Haryana then scored 296, taking a first-innings lead of 43 runs, thanks to solid contributions from Ankit Rajesh Kumar (59), Yashvardhan Dalal (72), and Kanishk Chouhan (50).
In their second innings, Himachal Pradesh could only manage 113 runs, putting Haryana in a position to chase down a target of 71. Starting their innings at 26 for three on the final day, Haryana completed the chase in just over 18 overs. Himanshu Rana made 37 runs, and Dheeru Singh scored an unbeaten 24, helping secure the win.
Kamboj has also been effective in first-class matches this season. He took three wickets against Australia A and three more in a follow-up match. He contributed with the bat as well, scoring 60 runs in the first innings against West Zone.
His ODI debut against the West Indies on October 3 was not as successful, where he scored only 17 runs and went wicketless, giving away 82 runs. However, his strong domestic record keeps him in the mix for more international matches.
During the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, Kamboj took 34 wickets in just six games, even achieving the rare feat of taking all 10 wickets in an innings against Kerala.
AUQIB NABI LEFT OUT AGAIN
Nabi’s absence from the Test squad is particularly striking given his impressive record. He had an outstanding 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, taking 60 wickets at an average of 12.56, including seven five-wicket hauls. His performances were crucial for his team, especially in the knockout stages, and he finished with a total of 104 wickets across two Ranji campaigns.
Nabi was called up as a substitute for Bumrah during the last Test series against Sri Lanka but has yet to make his Test debut. Although he has played ODI matches, he is still waiting for his chance in Test cricket.
While he’s been selected for the last two ODIs against New Zealand and named in the India A squad for multi-day matches against New Zealand A starting October 24, the overlap with the senior ODI series means he must balance both commitments carefully.
The reasons for Nabi’s exclusion from the Test squad have not been clarified by the selection committee. Kamboj’s past experience and recent performances have led to his recall, but discussions among fans around the decision remain heated.
KAMBOJ NEEDS TO MAKE THE MOST OF HIS CHANCE
The ODI series against New Zealand kicks off on November 4, with the first Test starting on November 19 in Wellington and the second one in Christchurch from November 27. This tour gives Kamboj a vital opportunity to prove himself on the international stage after a challenging debut. It’s important for him to transform his domestic reliability into success at the international level.
As for Nabi, he will aim to shine in the upcoming ODI series and in the India A red-ball matches. His impressive performances in the Ranji Trophy highlight his capabilities, but breaking into the senior Test team remains a crucial objective.
