Jammu & Kashmir all-rounder earns maiden international cap as India look to seal three-match series with a game to spare
Guwahati, Sept 2026 : Jammu & Kashmir all-rounder Auqib Nabi received his maiden India cap as the hosts won the toss and elected to bowl first against the West Indies in the second match of the three-match series at the ACA Stadium in Barsapara on Wednesday.
India entered the contest with a 1-0 lead after registering an eight-wicket victory in the series opener in Thiruvananthapuram. A win in Guwahati would give Shubman Gill’s side an unassailable 2-0 lead and allow them to clinch the series with one match still to be played.
Nabi replaced Nitish Kumar Reddy in India’s playing XI, earning his long-awaited international debut after having previously been called up to the Indian squad for the Test series in Sri Lanka without getting an opportunity to play.
The 29-year-old has enjoyed a significant season with Jammu & Kashmir and was one of the key performers in their Ranji Trophy triumph earlier this year, finishing with 60 wickets. His performances earned him recognition at the national level and eventually led to his inclusion in India’s Test squad.
With his debut in Guwahati, Nabi became only the third cricketer from Jammu & Kashmir to represent India, following Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik.
India captain Shubman Gill said the surface at the ACA Stadium appeared to have some grass and patchy areas, which could provide assistance to the fast bowlers early in the innings.
“There is a bit more grass and it looks a little bit patchy at times. So I think there'll be a little bit more for the fast bowlers initially,” Gill said after winning the toss.
He also reflected on India’s performance in the first match, particularly their ability to recover after coming under pressure during the opening stages.
“Definitely, after being put under pressure in the first 20-25 overs, the way we came back was really good,” he said.
Gill noted that the heat and humidity in Guwahati could present an additional challenge for the Indian pace attack but expressed confidence in his team’s preparations.
The Indian captain also highlighted the importance of improving the side’s intensity in the middle overs, an area he felt needed attention following the opening match.
“I think the intensity in the field in the middle overs is what dictates the game, and I thought we could have been a little bit better in the last game. Hopefully, this game is going to be a bit better,” Gill said.
He added that the team had looked in good touch during training, including senior batter Rohit Sharma.
West Indies captain Shai Hope said he too would have preferred to bowl first but accepted the toss result and said his team’s priority would be to post a competitive total.
“Definitely would have fielded as well. For sure, the coin toss is a 50-50 chance, and regardless of what happens, we have to do well,” Hope said.
The West Indies made four changes to their playing XI. Justin Greaves was ruled out after sustaining a calf injury while scoring a century in the first Test. Jewel Andrew, Matthew Forde and Gudakesh Motie were also left out.
Sherfane Rutherford, Keemo Paul, Shamar Joseph and Vitel Lawes came into the side.
Hope said the visitors were focused on identifying the areas that needed improvement and finding solutions quickly, given the short turnaround between matches.
“It’s about going out there, putting your best foot forward and finding the right solutions to win games,” he said.
He also backed the West Indies batting line-up to adapt to the conditions and assess the required total as the innings progressed.
India went in with Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul, Naman Dhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna.
The West Indies XI comprised John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales and Vitel Lawes.
For Nabi, the Guwahati fixture marked the culmination of a long wait and the beginning of his international career in Indian colours.
