Auqib Nabi: DC Backs Fast Bowler Ahead of RCB Clash
Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani has backed auqib nabi to come good for the franchise ahead of Saturday’s clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The Jammu & Kashmir fast bowler is under the spotlight after a modest IPL start, but the team management is keeping faith in him. In the same camp, South African pacer Lungi Ngidi has also praised auqib nabi as a complete cricketer.
Badani Keeps Faith in Auqib Nabi
Badani said nerves were a factor in Nabi’s first outing, where the bowler went wicketless and conceded 17 runs in two overs against Chennai Super Kings. The Delhi Capitals coach said he expects the young pacer to settle and deliver for the side as the season moves forward. “Everyone has nerves in the first game. I felt he had similar nerves in that match. But I think he is somebody who will do well for us, ” Badani said ahead of the RCB match.
Badani also pointed to what Delhi Capitals saw when they invested Rs 8. 40 crore in Nabi at last year’s auction. He highlighted Nabi’s temperament and his ability to stay steady regardless of good or bad moments, along with his consistency in line and length. Those qualities, Badani said, matter as much as raw pace at the top level. The backing comes at a time when Delhi Capitals have had a stop-start campaign, with two wins and two losses.
Auqib Nabi’s Rise Has Kept Him in Focus
Nabi’s reputation has been built through strong domestic performances. He helped Jammu & Kashmir to their maiden Ranji Trophy title and finished the 2025–26 red-ball season as the leading wicket-taker with 60 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 12. 56. He also produced a double hat-trick for North Zone during the Duleep Trophy, which helped draw multiple franchises into the bidding at the auction.
That background has kept auqib nabi in the conversation even after a quiet IPL debut. The pressure around him is real, but so is the support inside the Delhi Capitals setup. Badani said the franchise values the qualities that brought Nabi into the squad in the first place, especially his composure and control.
Ngidi Calls Auqib Nabi a Complete Cricketer
Ngidi’s assessment added another layer to the growing confidence around the young pacer. The South African said he started reading about Nabi after Delhi Capitals picked him in the mini-auction in December, and he was eager to meet him. After seeing him up close, Ngidi said he was struck by Nabi’s skill set and described his swing as similar to Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s.
“He can swing the ball both ways, bowl yorkers, operate at a good pace, and also contribute with the bat. He’s a complete cricketer, ” Ngidi said. He also said he appreciates players who are trying to come through the system and make a name for themselves. For auqib nabi, that recognition inside the dressing room may matter as much as any headline outside it.
What Comes Next for Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals face Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, with Nabi still in the frame as the side looks for balance and consistency. Badani dismissed the idea that momentum is the defining force in a tournament like the IPL, saying the focus is on identifying problem areas and responding well. The franchise’s batting has also been described internally as stable enough, with totals above 180 offering reassurance.
After the RCB game, Delhi Capitals are scheduled to travel to Hyderabad to face Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 21. For now, the attention remains fixed on auqib nabi, a bowler with strong domestic credentials, clear backing from management, and a clear chance to turn early patience into impact.
