Auqib Nabi is the fast bowler from Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, whose rise from village cricket to a Rs 8.40 crore IPL contract is one of Indian domestic cricket’s biggest stories. On 4 November 2026 — his 30th birthday — he played his second ODI for India, against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland, bowling a disciplined 0 for 33 in six overs as India won by five wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.
Before his India call-up, Nabi was the leading wicket-taker in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy, taking 60 wickets as Jammu and Kashmir won their first-ever Ranji Trophy title. This biography covers his age, height, family, domestic career, IPL auction story, India debut, and net worth in 2026.
| Full Name | Auqib Nabi Dar |
| Age | 30 years old (born 4 November 1996) |
| Height | 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm) |
| Birthplace | Sheeri, Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Occupation | Cricketer (right-arm medium fast bowler) |
| Known For | 60 wickets in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy; Rs 8.40 crore Delhi Capitals deal; India ODI debut |
| Net Worth 2026 | Estimated around Rs 9–9.5 crore (unverified estimate; see Net Worth section below) |
Early Life
Auqib Nabi Dar was born on 4 November 1996 in Sheeri, a village in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. He grew up in a modest, close-knit family. His father, Ghulam Nabi Dar, is a government school teacher who initially hoped his son would become a doctor — cricket was not part of the family plan. His mother is Mehmooda Begum, and his siblings are Imran Nabi and Nazia Nabi. His grandmother, Fazi Begum, has been one of his most devoted supporters.
Nabi learned the game on the narrow lanes and makeshift pitches of Sheeri, playing for the local club Sheeri Star before moving on to BCC Reds. State-level cricket meant long trips to Srinagar for training, which his father supported once his dedication became clear. Nicknamed the “Baramulla Express” for his pace and his roots, Nabi built his game on accuracy, seam movement and long, disciplined spells rather than raw speed.
Career
Auqib Nabi has represented Jammu and Kashmir in domestic cricket since 2018. He made his List A debut in the 2018–19 Vijay Hazare Trophy on 23 September 2018, his T20 debut in the 2019–20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on 11 November 2019, and his first-class debut in the 2019–20 Ranji Trophy on 3 January 2020. He announced himself early with a five-wicket haul against Odisha in January 2020 and steadily became his state’s most reliable bowler across formats.
The 2025–26 season changed everything. In August 2025, Nabi became the first player ever to claim a double hat-trick — four wickets in four balls — in the Duleep Trophy. Then, in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy, he finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 60 wickets in 10 matches, including best figures of 7 for 24, as Jammu and Kashmir won their maiden Ranji Trophy title.
The IPL 2026 auction, held in Abu Dhabi in December 2025, turned him into a crorepati overnight. Listed at a base price of Rs 30 lakh, Nabi sparked a bidding war involving Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals before Delhi Capitals secured him for Rs 8.40 crore — 28 times his base price. The deal made him the costliest player from Jammu and Kashmir ever picked in the IPL, surpassing Rasikh Salam Dar’s Rs 6 crore record. His small-town-to-IPL journey echoes the rise of cricketers such as Rinku Singh.
International recognition followed. Selected in India’s ODI squad for the home series against West Indies, he received his maiden ODI cap from KL Rahul in the second match at Guwahati on 30 September 2026, becoming India cap number 265. It was a tough debut on a batting-friendly surface — 8.5 overs, 84 runs, no wicket — but India won by eight wickets.
For the New Zealand tour, Nabi was initially named only for the fourth and fifth ODIs, but after Prasidh Krishna’s absence the selectors added him for the first three matches as well. On 4 November 2026, his 30th birthday, he played his second ODI in the series opener at Eden Park, Auckland, opening the bowling with Arshdeep Singh. He bowled a tidy 0 for 33 in six overs and was unlucky not to take his first wicket when Naman Dhir dropped Tim Seifert at mid-wicket off his bowling. India bowled New Zealand out for 185 — Shubman Gill‘s young pace attack shared the wickets, with Arshdeep Singh taking 4 for 70, Gurnoor Brar 3 for 44 and Anshul Kamboj 2 for 22 — and won by five wickets chasing a rain-revised target of 143. Like fellow young pacer Harshit Rana, Nabi is competing for a regular place in India’s white-ball attack, and his first ODI wicket remains the obvious next milestone. The second ODI is scheduled for 7 November 2026 in Wellington.
Personal Life
Auqib Nabi keeps his personal life private and has not publicly confirmed his relationship status. Some profiles list him as engaged to a woman named Aaqira since 20 April 2024, while others describe him as unmarried, and at least one site claims he is married — so no single version can be treated as established fact. He remains close to his family in Sheeri and returns to Baramulla whenever his schedule allows.
He is widely reported to be a Muslim by faith, and no publicly verified information exists about his caste, which should not be assumed from his name or background. His rise has made him a hero in Baramulla, where residents celebrated his Rs 8.40 crore deal with folk songs and dancing in the streets of Sheeri.
Auqib Nabi Net Worth 2026
Auqib Nabi’s net worth in 2026 is estimated at around Rs 9 to 9.5 crore, according to Devbhoomi News, but no official figure has been publicly disclosed. The bulk of it comes from his Rs 8.40 crore contract with Delhi Capitals from the IPL 2026 auction, supplemented by domestic cricket earnings and BCCI match fees.
Before the auction he had no IPL contract and lived on domestic cricket income, so the Delhi Capitals deal represents almost his entire current wealth. Any precise net worth figure for Nabi is an estimate built from his one public contract, not an audited fact.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Auqib Nabi?
Auqib Nabi is 30 years old. He was born on 4 November 1996 in Sheeri, Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, and he turned 30 on the day he played his second ODI for India, against New Zealand at Eden Park on 4 November 2026.
How tall is Auqib Nabi?
Auqib Nabi is 6 feet 0 inches tall (1.83 metres), according to his Wikipedia and Crex profiles. Some biography sites list him shorter, at around 5 feet 10 inches.
When did Auqib Nabi make his ODI debut for India?
Auqib Nabi made his ODI debut on 30 September 2026 against West Indies in the second ODI at Guwahati, receiving his maiden cap from KL Rahul. He bowled 8.5 overs for 84 runs without a wicket on a batting-friendly pitch, and India won by eight wickets.
Which IPL team bought Auqib Nabi and for how much?
Delhi Capitals bought Auqib Nabi for Rs 8.40 crore at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi in December 2025. His base price was just Rs 30 lakh, so the final price was 28 times his base price.
What is Auqib Nabi’s net worth in 2026?
His net worth is estimated at around Rs 9 to 9.5 crore, according to Devbhoomi News, based mainly on his Rs 8.40 crore Delhi Capitals contract. No official figure has been publicly disclosed.
Is Auqib Nabi married?
Auqib Nabi has not publicly confirmed his relationship status. Some profiles list him as engaged to Aaqira since April 2024, while others describe him as unmarried.
