Auqib Nabi joins Team India before Afghanistan Test, but here's why he cannot play

After missing out on a spot in the Indian Test cricket team, Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi Dar has been invited to the training session before the one-off Test against Afghanistan starting 6 June. Auqib Nabi Dar has not received a call-up to the Test squad, but rather, he is part of the net bowlers.

Besides Auqib, wiry UP leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari, who plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, has also been asked to bowl in the nets as the Afghanistan team is expected to have a few wrist spinners.

"Yes Auqib Nabi has been asked to join the India nets. It is not just Auqib but there are six others, who have also been called to join the India nets. Due to extreme weather conditions, the two premier fast bowlers, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, can't go flat out in the nets after a gruelling three games in seven days with travel. The batters would need adequate practice," a BCCI source privy to the development told PTI.

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Auqib Nabi to bowl in India nets

Auqib, who got 60 wickets to become the highest wicket-taker while guiding Jammu and Kashmir to the Ranji Trophy triumph, was pipped by gangly Punjab paceman Gurnoor Brar in the Indian team.

The J&K medium pacer's omission had caused a furore with former India skipper and ex-chairman of the selection committee Dilip Vengsarkar questioning the sanctity of the Ranji Trophy if performances in the tournament weren't rewarded.

It is understood that Auqib hasn't yet been included in the 15-member squad, but he is among the stand-bys.

Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar are three pacers in the 15 and only if one of the three has a niggle, will Auqib be included in the 15.

The Indian team will have its first practice session on Tuesday afternoon, but all the players, who were part of the IPL final are unlikely to train on the opening day.

For the record, seven Gujarat Titans players (skipper Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Manav Suthar and Washington Sundar) are part of the Test squad.

With agency inputs