 Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 16: Jammu and Kashmir cricket witnessed a historic milestone at the IPL Season 19 mini auction as Baramulla-born pacer Auqib Nabi Dar emerged as one of the biggest surprises of the event, fetching a staggering Rs 8.40 crore from Delhi Capitals. The uncapped fast bowler’s high-value signing not only made him one of the most expensive Indian players at the auction but also marked a proud moment for cricket in the Union Territory.
Registered at a modest base price of Rs 30 lakh for the IPL 2026 auction, Auqib’s name initially drew measured interest before triggering an intense bidding war. As franchises competed for his services, the price rose steadily until Delhi Capitals sealed the deal at Rs 8.40 crore—nearly 23 times his base price—underscoring the faith placed in his rapidly rising potential.
A right-arm medium-fast bowler from Baramulla in north Kashmir, Auqib has built a strong reputation on the domestic circuit with his ability to swing the ball, maintain consistent pace and accuracy, and deliver under pressure. Though yet to make his IPL debut, he has been a standout performer for Jammu and Kashmir across formats, while also offering useful lower-order hitting ability.
Auqib has so far featured in 36 first-class, 29 List A and 34 T20 matches for J&K, claiming 125 wickets in first-class cricket, 42 in List A and 28 in T20s. His breakthrough season came in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy, where he finished as the second-highest wicket-taker with an impressive haul of 44 wickets, draw Auqib Nabi Dar emerged as one of the biggest surprises of the event, fetching a staggering Rs 8.40 crore from Delhi Capitals.
Registered at a modest base price of Rs 30 lakh for the IPL 2026 auction, Auqib’s name initially drew measured interest before triggering an intense bidding war.
A right-arm medium-fast bowler from Baramulla has built a strong reputation on the domestic circuit.
Though yet to make his IPL debut, he has been a standout performer for Jammu and Kashmir across formats.
He further stamped his authority in the Duleep Trophy 2025, creating history by taking four wickets in four consecutive balls against East Zone—becoming the first player ever to achieve the feat in the tournament. His all-round impact was also on display in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, where he picked up 15 wickets in seven matches, including a four-wicket haul.
Auqib was last seen in action against Madhya Pradesh in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match at Eden Gardens, where he showcased his all-round abilities. Batting at No. 7, he struck 32 runs off 21 balls, laced with two fours and three sixes, before returning figures of 3 for 19 in four overs with the ball.
The 28-year-old fast bowler’s meteoric rise reflects the growing depth and quality of cricketing talent emerging from Jammu and Kashmir, despite infrastructural and logistical challenges. His success has sparked celebrations across the Valley, with former cricketers, coaches and fans hailing the moment as a source of immense pride and inspiration for aspiring youngsters.
With Delhi Capitals placing significant faith in his abilities, expectations will be high as Auqib Nabi Dar gears up for his maiden IPL season. His journey adds another chapter to Jammu and Kashmir’s expanding presence in the IPL, following in the footsteps of players such as Parvez Rasool, Abdul Samad, Umran Malik, Rasikh Salam, Yudhvir Singh, Mohammad Mudhasir and Manzoor Pandav, who have previously represented the region on the league’s biggest stage. |