Jammu & Kashmir won their first Ranji Trophy title in 2025-26, and Auqib Nabi was the main reason why.
The right-arm pacer took 60 wickets in 10 matches as his team beat Karnataka in the final at Hubli.
It wasn’t just about the numbers. Nabi delivered when it mattered most.
His five-wicket haul in the final, 12 wickets in the quarter-final, and nine in the semi-final showed his ability to rise under pressure.
This wasn’t a bowler padding stats in dead matches.
This was sustained excellence across the entire tournament, and the records he set reflect that.
Auqib Nabi Bowling Records in Ranji Trophy 2025-26
Breaking Down Auqib Nabi’s 60-Wicket Season
Auqib Nabi finished the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season with 60 wickets at an average of 12.57.
He took seven five-wicket hauls and two four-wicket hauls across the campaign. The 26-year-old pacer became the first J&K bowler to cross 50 wickets in a single Ranji season.
His consistency was remarkable. In the final against Karnataka, he took 5/54 as the opposition was bowled out for 293.
J&K had posted 584 batting first, with five batters scoring fifties and Shubham Pundir making 121. Nabi’s spell ensured his team won by first innings lead.
The knock-out stage was where Nabi really stood out. Twelve wickets against Madhya Pradesh in the quarter-final broke their resistance.
Nine against Bengal in the semi-final sealed J&K’s place in the final.
Those performances, combined with his final spell, earned him an ₹8.4 crore contract with Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2026 auction.
Bowling Records Set by Auqib Nabi in Ranji Trophy 2025-26
The 60-wicket tally placed Nabi third among pacers for most wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season.
Only Jaydev Unadkat (67 in 2018-19) and Dodda Ganesh (62 in 1998-99) have taken more.
Overall, counting spinners, Nabi is seventh on the all-time list.
| Record Category | Achievement | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Total wickets in season | 60 wickets | 3rd most by a pacer |
| Bowling average | 12.57 | Best among 50+ wicket-takers |
| Five-wicket hauls | 7 fifers | Joint-most by pacer |
| Wickets across two seasons | 104 wickets | 5th overall (2024-25 & 2025-26) |
| J&K record | 60 wickets | First 50+ wicket season |
Historic Milestones Achieved in Ranji Trophy 2025-26
- First J&K Bowler to Take 50-Plus Wickets
No Jammu & Kashmir bowler had ever taken 50 wickets in a single Ranji season before Nabi. He surpassed that mark and added 10 more.
His previous best was 44 wickets in the 2024-25 season, which he improved by 16 wickets.
The breakthrough meant J&K finally had a pace spearhead who could deliver at the highest domestic level.
In first-class cricket overall, Nabi now has 156 wickets from 41 matches, including 16 five-wicket hauls and four 10-wicket match hauls.
- Joint-Most Fifers by a Pacer in One Season
Seven five-wicket hauls in one Ranji season equals the record for pacers. Jaydev Unadkat (2019-20), Aniket Choudhary (2018-19), and Lakshmipathy Balaji (2002-03) all achieved the same feat.
Nabi’s seven fifers came across different phases of the tournament, not bunched together.
Only two bowlers have taken more fifers in a single season. Bihar’s Ashutosh Aman leads with nine in 2018-19, while spin legend Bishan Singh Bedi took eight in 1974-75.
Nabi’s performance puts him in elite company among Indian domestic bowlers.
- 100-Plus Wickets Across Two Seasons
With 44 wickets in 2024-25 and 60 in 2025-26, Nabi became the fifth bowler to take 100 wickets across consecutive Ranji seasons.
His 104 wickets in 18 matches at an average of 13.14 rank him among the most prolific two-season performers.
Ashutosh Aman leads this category with 117 wickets. Kanwaljit Singh (113), Shahbaz Nadeem (107), and Jaydev Unadkat (106) are the others ahead of Nabi.
Gujarat’s Ishwar Choudhary has exactly 100 wickets across two seasons.
- Second-Most Fifers Across Two Seasons
Nabi’s 13 five-wicket hauls across 2024-25 and 2025-26 are second-best in Ranji Trophy history for a two-season span. Only Ashutosh Aman has more with 14 fifers across 2018-19 and 2019-20.
This stat highlights Nabi’s ability to produce match-winning spells repeatedly. It’s not just volume. Its impact. Thirteen times in two years, he took control of a match and broke the opposition’s back.
Expert Insight: What Made Nabi’s Season Special
Raw wicket counts don’t tell the full story. Nabi’s real value was his timing.
When J&K needed breakthroughs in the knock-outs, he delivered.
That’s what separates good bowlers from match-winners.
His average of 12.57 is exceptional for a pacer in modern domestic cricket. It means he wasn’t just picking tail-enders.
He was getting top-order batters out cheaply and consistently. The seven fifers prove he could sustain pressure across entire innings.
The IPL contract reflects market recognition of his domestic dominance. Delhi Capitals saw a bowler who can handle big moments.
That’s worth ₹8.4 crore in today’s market. Nabi didn’t just pad his stats. He won matches and titles.
How Nabi Compares to Other Ranji Greats?
While Jaydev Unadkat holds the pacer record with 67 wickets, Nabi’s 60 came at a better average.
Unadkat averaged 13.23 in his record season. Dodda Ganesh averaged 15.69 for his 62 wickets.
Nabi’s 12.57 shows he was both prolific and economical.
The context matters too. Nabi played for a team that hadn’t won the Ranji Trophy before.
Unadkat and others played for stronger domestic sides.
Nabi carried his team’s attack almost single-handedly through the knock-out rounds.
His two-season tally of 104 wickets puts him fifth all-time for consecutive seasons.
That’s a measure of sustained excellence, not a one-off purple patch. The 13 fifers across two years back that up.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many wickets did Auqib Nabi take in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26?
Auqib Nabi took 60 wickets in 10 matches during the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season at an average of 12.57.
- Is Auqib Nabi the first J&K bowler to take 50 wickets in a Ranji season?
Yes, Nabi became the first Jammu & Kashmir bowler to cross 50 wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season.
- How many five-wicket hauls did Nabi take in 2025-26?
Nabi took seven five-wicket hauls in the 2025-26 season, equaling the record for most fifers by a pacer in one Ranji campaign.
- Where does Nabi rank among pacers for most wickets in a Ranji season?
Nabi ranks third among pacers with 60 wickets. Jaydev Unadkat (67) and Dodda Ganesh (62) are ahead of him.
- How many wickets has Auqib Nabi taken across two Ranji seasons?
Nabi has taken 104 wickets across the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, making him the fifth bowler to reach 100 wickets in consecutive campaigns.
Final Thoughts on a Record-Breaking Season
Auqib Nabi’s 60-wicket season wasn’t just about personal milestones. It was the foundation of J&K’s maiden Ranji Trophy title.
His performances in the knockouts showed he could handle pressure at critical moments.
The records he set place him among the best pacers in Ranji Trophy history.
Third-most wickets in a season, joint-most fifers, first from his state to cross 50 wickets. These aren’t small achievements.
What stands out most is the consistency. Seven fifers, 12 wickets in a quarter-final, nine in a semi-final, five in the final.
That’s a bowler who understood the assignment and delivered when his team needed him most.
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