India Add Auqib Nabi After Prasidh Krishna Injury

India have brought in-form fast bowler Auqib Nabi into their squad for the first three ODIs against New Zealand after Prasidh Krishna was ruled out of the entire five-match series with a left hamstring injury. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the change on Saturday, October 31, giving Nabi an opportunity to strengthen India’s pace attack ahead of the opening match on November 4.

Nabi was initially selected only for the fourth and fifth ODIs of the series. However, Krishna’s injury has prompted the selectors to move the Jammu & Kashmir pacer into the squad from the beginning of the tour. His impressive performances for India A and outstanding domestic record have strengthened his case for an extended opportunity at the international level.

India Add Auqib Nabi to Squad After Prasidh Krishna Injury

The BCCI announced Nabi’s inclusion a day after confirming that Krishna would miss the entire ODI series. The right-arm pacer had originally been selected for the first three matches, subject to fitness clearance, but has not recovered sufficiently to return to competitive cricket.

“The Men’s Selection Committee has added Auqib Nabi to the squad for the first three ODIs against New Zealand. The right-arm pacer, who was initially in the squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs of the series, will be a part of the Indian squad from the start of the ODI series,” the BCCI said in a release.

Krishna sustained the left hamstring injury during the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati on September 30. He has reportedly been advised to spend more time building up his workload before returning to match action.

The fast bowler is expected to feature in India A’s third unofficial Test against New Zealand A, scheduled to begin on November 7. That match could provide him with an opportunity to regain match fitness before India’s two-Test series against New Zealand begins on November 19.

For Nabi, the selection represents an opportunity to join India’s ODI setup earlier than originally planned. His recent performances have made him one of the notable fast-bowling options available to the selectors.

India’s Pace Attack for New Zealand ODI Series

With Nabi joining the squad, India have strengthened their pace-bowling options for the opening three matches. He will be part of a group that includes Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Anshul Kamboj and Gurnoor Brar.

Nitish Kumar Reddy will also be available for the opening ODI before linking up with India A in Lincoln. His availability for the first match gives India another pace-bowling option, although his departure means the team will need to manage its resources across the remaining fixtures.

The opening ODI is scheduled to take place at Eden Park in Auckland on November 4. Nabi’s inclusion gives the Indian team another right-arm fast bowler who has recently demonstrated his ability to take wickets in challenging conditions.

His performances against New Zealand A are particularly relevant because they came during the same tour and against opposition familiar with the conditions. The selectors will now have the option of assessing him within the senior squad before deciding how to use him during the series.

How Auqib Nabi Performed Against New Zealand A

Nabi’s promotion comes after an impressive fortnight with India A in New Zealand. The fast bowler delivered an effective performance in the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, finishing with six wickets for 97 runs across 28 overs.

He claimed three wickets for 69 runs in the first innings before producing an even more impressive spell in the second innings. Nabi returned figures of three for 28 from 10 overs, helping India A put New Zealand A under significant pressure during their chase.

His second-innings spell was especially important. Nabi dismissed Rhys Mariu with the first delivery of his second over, giving India A an early breakthrough. He then trapped Tim Robinson lbw with a delivery that straightened after pitching.

The pacer continued his excellent spell by coming around the wicket to dismiss left-handed batter Matthew Boyle, bowling him to leave New Zealand A struggling at 13 for three.

New Zealand A were chasing a target of 313 but found themselves in serious difficulty after Nabi’s early strikes. They eventually reached 187 for nine before bad light brought the contest to an end, leaving India A just one wicket short of securing the remaining breakthrough.

Although the match did not produce a completed result, Nabi’s six-wicket performance offered a strong indication of his current form. His ability to strike early and maintain pressure on the opposition made him an important performer for India A.

Auqib Nabi’s ODI Debut Numbers and International Experience

Despite his impressive performances in domestic cricket and for India A, Nabi has limited experience in international one-day cricket. His ODI debut came against the West Indies in Guwahati on September 30, the same match in which Prasidh Krishna suffered his hamstring injury.

Nabi conceded 84 runs from 8.5 overs without taking a wicket in that appearance. Those figures were not an ideal introduction to international cricket, but his subsequent performances against New Zealand A have given him an opportunity to demonstrate his ability to respond after a difficult outing.

The upcoming series could therefore be an important stage in his development as an international fast bowler. If selected in the playing XI, he will have another opportunity to show that his domestic success and India A performances can translate into the demands of senior international cricket.

His limited ODI experience means the team management may need to assess his role carefully. However, his recent wicket-taking form gives India another option as they prepare to face New Zealand.

Auqib Nabi’s Outstanding 2025-26 Ranji Trophy Season

One of the biggest reasons behind Nabi’s growing reputation is his exceptional performance in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy. Representing Jammu & Kashmir, the right-arm pacer finished as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, claiming 60 wickets in 10 matches at an outstanding average of 12.56.

He also recorded seven five-wicket hauls during the competition, playing a major role in Jammu & Kashmir’s historic run to their maiden Ranji Trophy title. His consistency across the tournament established him as one of India’s most productive domestic fast bowlers.

Nabi delivered several match-changing performances during the knockout stages. He took 12 wickets for 110 runs in the quarterfinal against Madhya Pradesh, helping Jammu & Kashmir progress further in the competition.

He followed that performance with nine wickets for 123 runs in the semifinal against Bengal. Nabi then contributed five wickets for 54 runs in the final against Karnataka as Jammu & Kashmir completed their historic title-winning campaign.

His record of 60 wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season placed him among the most successful fast bowlers in the competition’s history. The combination of his domestic achievements and recent performances for India A has made his selection for the New Zealand series a significant development.

Can Auqib Nabi Make an Impact in the NZ vs IND 2026 ODI Series?

Nabi’s inclusion gives India an opportunity to add a bowler in strong recent form to their squad. His performances in the Ranji Trophy demonstrated his ability to deliver consistently over longer spells, while his six-wicket haul against New Zealand A showed that he can also make an impact against overseas opposition.

However, the ODI format presents a different challenge. Nabi’s debut figures against the West Indies highlight the need for him to adjust to the demands of limited-overs international cricket, where controlling runs and taking wickets must go together.

His ability to generate early breakthroughs could be valuable for India, particularly if the conditions in New Zealand offer assistance to fast bowlers. The presence of experienced options such as Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh should also provide support within the pace group.

Whether Nabi gets an opportunity in the playing XI or remains part of the wider squad, his inclusion for the first three matches is an important step in his international career. The selectors have rewarded his recent form with an earlier opportunity, and the New Zealand tour could provide a clearer picture of his readiness for regular international cricket.

NZ vs IND 2026 ODI Series: Key Details

• Opening ODI: November 4, 2026
• Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
• Series: India vs New Zealand five-match ODI series
• India’s replacement: Auqib Nabi
• Player ruled out: Prasidh Krishna
• Reason for withdrawal: Left hamstring injury
• Nabi’s original selection: Fourth and fifth ODIs
• Updated selection: First three ODIs

India’s decision to bring Auqib Nabi into the squad earlier than planned adds an interesting development ahead of the New Zealand ODI series. After dominating the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy and impressing against New Zealand A, the Jammu & Kashmir pacer now has an opportunity to build on his international experience and strengthen his position in India’s fast-bowling plans.