Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi never gave up on his hope of playing Test cricket for India, despite having to wait for his first call-up. He continued to focus on performing, believing that consistent results would eventually earn him a chance. That opportunity came when Nabi was added to India's squad as a replacement for injured fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, beginning in Sri Lanka on Saturday.
Nabi played a key role in Jammu and Kashmir's first-ever Ranji Trophy title win last season. He said he always believed that his performances would eventually lead to an India call-up. "Yes, I had expectations. But the mindset of a cricket player should be of performing and that the other people are watching," Nabi told fellow uncapped player Saransh Jain in a video shared by the BCCI. "I knew that I would get the call-up today or tomorrow because when you are doing well for so many years, you are meant to get the returns from the hard work." "So I would bowl with the mindset that my job is to take wickets and perform and the rest is up to the one above. I felt great when my name came up. My family is very happy and I don't think there can be anything greater than this," Nabi added. Saransh, who was part of Madhya Pradesh's Ranji Trophy-winning team in 2021-22 that defeated Mumbai in the final, also spoke about the patience needed to reach the India team. “You have to have patience in Test cricket and if you want to play Test cricket for India, you have to have patience in that too,” the 33-year-old Saransh said. “I made my debut at Ranji Trophy in 2014-15. It's been a long journey. There was a lot of hard work and sacrifices. But I had the belief that one day, I will definitely play for India and for this achievement my family has a big role to play in it.” "My dad, who is a Ranji Trophy player, told me the same thing. You just have to have patience, things will automatically come to you," he added.
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Both players also recalled how they found out about their India selections. "When I got the call, I was driving to the temple. I saw the call and messages in between. That's when I got to know that I was selected,” Saransh said. Nabi said he was at the airport when he received the news. “I was at the airport. We had to go to a camp in CoE and I was about to board a flight to Bangalore." “I got a call asking where I was. I told them that I was going to Bangalore and I was at the airport. They told me that I didn't have to go there; I had to come to Sri Lanka and that I was selected.” “At first, I couldn't believe it. It was unexpected because the squad was already out. I was ready to work hard. I was going to the camp,” Nabi added.