“Tremendous injustice”: Sanjay Manjrekar fumes over Auqib Nabi’s snub despite st – Sanjay Manjrekar Slams Auqib Nabi Snub For Afghanistan Test

The announcement of the Indian squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan has sparked intense debate across the cricketing fraternity. At the center of the storm is the exclusion of Jammu & Kashmir’s premier fast bowler, Auqib Nabi. Despite a historic and record-shattering domestic run, the pacer failed to find a spot even in the India A setup, let alone the senior team. This selection oversight has drawn sharp criticism from former Indian batsman and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar, who labeled the decision as nothing short of “ridiculous.”

Sanjay Manjrekar Slams Selection Committee

Speaking on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast, Sanjay Manjrekar did not hold back his frustration regarding the treatment meted out to the J&K speedster. Manjrekar categorized the snub as a “tremendous disrespect” to both the bowler and the integrity of the Ranji Trophy. He lamented how the nature of public outcry has shifted over the generations but maintained that this particular omission is completely unjustifiable.

“I used to like the olden days when tremendous injustice was done. People would come out on the streets with placards and protests,” Manjrekar observed. “Now the outcry is mostly on social media, but this is one non-selection that I just can’t understand.”

Manjrekar further argued that the decision becomes increasingly baffling when considering that senior pacers like Mohammed Shami are not featuring in the squad. According to him, the selection committee’s choice to overlook the country’s leading domestic wicket-taker undermines the entire purpose of India’s premier first-class tournament. “It’s actually ridiculous,” Manjrekar added. “When Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj are not playing, whether because they are being rested or for long-term planning, then you might as well not have the Ranji Trophy if performances like these are going to be ignored.”

Auqib Nabi’s Unprecedented Ranji Trophy Heroics

To understand the depth of Manjrekar’s frustration, one only needs to look at the staggering numbers Auqib Nabi has produced over the last two domestic seasons. Nabi has been the undisputed spearhead of the Jammu & Kashmir bowling attack, playing a pivotal role in guiding his state to their historic maiden Ranji Trophy title. Over the course of the last two editions of the tournament, Nabi has scalped an incredible 104 wickets in just 18 matches, maintaining an exceptional bowling average of 13.14. This run also included 13 five-wicket hauls.

In the most recent edition of the Ranji Trophy, Nabi finished as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker. He registered 60 wickets in 10 matches at an outstanding average of 12.56, including 7 five-wicket hauls. He was also one of only two bowlers in the entire tournament to register multiple 10-wicket match hauls. This followed a superb preceding season where J&K reached the quarterfinals, and Nabi ended as the second-highest wicket-taker overall with 44 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 13.93.

The IPL 2026 Factor: Did T20 Form Shadow Red-Ball Brilliance?

With such a stellar red-ball record, many are left wondering why Nabi was ignored for the Afghanistan Test. Speculation points toward his recent struggles in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Representing the Delhi Capitals, Nabi had a difficult campaign, going wicketless in his five appearances while conceding runs at an economy rate of over 11. However, cricket purists and experts like Manjrekar believe that using short-format franchise league performances to judge a player’s capability for Test cricket is a deeply flawed methodology that compromises the value of first-class cricket.

Squad Restructuring and Key Changes for the Afghanistan Test

The one-off Test match, scheduled to begin on June 6, will be held at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. This fixture will mark only the second-ever Men’s International match at this venue, which previously hosted a T20I between India and South Africa in December 2025, following two Women’s ODIs between India and Australia earlier that September.

Beyond Nabi’s omission, the squad announcement brought several major talking points. In a significant administrative shift, Rishabh Pant has been relieved of his vice-captaincy duties, with the role being handed over to KL Rahul. Key players such as Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami have been rested due to injury concerns and workload management. Meanwhile, the selectors have rewarded domestic performers by handing maiden national call-ups to left-arm spinners Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey, alongside fast bowler Gurnoor Brar.

Conclusion

While the inclusion of fresh domestic talent like Suthar, Dubey, and Brar is a positive sign, the complete snub of Auqib Nabi remains a highly controversial talking point. For players grinding through the demanding domestic circuit, Nabi’s exclusion sends a concerning message about the reward system of Indian cricket. As India prepares to take on Afghanistan, the debate surrounding the selection criteria and the true weight of Ranji Trophy performances will undoubtedly continue to linger.