Kashmir,December 9, 2025 – In a significant milestone for Jammu & Kashmir cricket, standout pacer Auqib Nabi is among eight talented players from the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) who have been shortlisted for the IPL 2026 Player Auction. The high-stakes event is scheduled for December 16, 2025, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, where franchises will vie for 77 slots across 10 teams.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released the final roster after a rigorous selection process, trimming down nearly 1,390 registrations to a pool of 350 players—comprising 240 Indian and 110 overseas talents, including 224 uncapped Indian cricketers. This shortlist highlights emerging domestic performers, with J&K’s representation underscoring the region’s rising prowess in Indian cricket.Spotlight on Auqib Nabi: A Rising StarThe 28-year-old swing bowler from Baramulla, Auqib Nabi, has emerged as one of J&K’s most consistent performers. Renowned for his ability to swing the ball both ways at pace, Nabi’s domestic exploits have turned heads. His standout 44-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy marked him as one of the country’s top bowlers, while he etched his name in history as the first bowler to claim four wickets in four balls in the Duleep Trophy. More recently, his impressive trial with the Mumbai Indians has fueled speculation of a lucrative IPL deal, positioning him as a potential jackpot pick among uncapped pacers.Nabi’s journey reflects resilience and skill, honed through domestic tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where his four-wicket spells have showcased his match-winning potential. Experts predict he could command significant bids, drawing interest from teams seeking raw pace and swing in their bowling line-ups.The Full J&K ContingentJoining Nabi in the shortlist are a mix of all-rounders, pacers, and batters who have impressed in recent seasons. The complete list of J&K cricketers shortlisted for IPL 2026 auction includes:
- Auqib Nabi (Pacer, Baramulla)
- Lone Nasir Muzaffar (All-rounder)
- Atif Mushtaq (Batter)
- Waseem Bashir Khanday (Pacer)
- Vivrant Sharma (All-rounder)
- Abid Mushtaq (Batter)
- Qamran Iqbal (Batter)
- Ashwin Murugan (Spinner)
These players have demonstrated consistency, versatility, and resilience in domestic cricket, earning their spots through franchise assessments and performance metrics. Vivrant Sharma, for instance, brings explosive batting and handy off-spin, while Waseem Khanday adds left-arm pace variety.IPL 2026 Auction: What to ExpectThe IPL 2026 auction promises intense bidding wars, with uncapped Indian players like those from J&K potentially stealing the show alongside marquee international stars. Franchises, armed with substantial purses, will prioritize domestic depth to bolster squads ahead of the T20 spectacle. For J&K, this eight-player contingent represents a major boost, signaling the state’s growing footprint in the IPL ecosystem.JKCA officials hailed the achievement as a “milestone,” crediting grassroots development and domestic exposure for nurturing such talent. As the auction approaches, all eyes will be on whether Auqib Nabi and his teammates can translate their domestic form into IPL glory.Keywords: Auqib Nabi, J&K cricketers, IPL 2026 auction, Jammu Kashmir Cricket Association, BCCI shortlist, uncapped players, Mumbai Indians trial, Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Abu Dhabi auction(This article is based on reports from JKCA officials and BCCI announcements. For live updates, follow IPL official channels.)
