'Don't have any logical answer': Irfan Pathan slams India's snub of Ranji's leading wicket-taker

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has launched a pointed critique of the national selectors, questioning the logic behind Auqib Nabi's continued exclusion from the Test setup. With the Jammu and Kashmir pacer overlooked once again for the upcoming two-match series in Sri Lanka, despite a record-breaking domestic season, Pathan admitted he could find no reasonable explanation for the decision.

His comments have added fuel to a growing debate about whether India are doing enough to reward standout performers on the domestic circuit.

'No logical answer'

Pathan did not mince his words when assessing Nabi's omission. Speaking to Sportstar, he said he honestly did not have any logical answer for the bowler not being picked, admitting he simply did not understand the selection process.

It was a strong statement from a respected voice, and one that captured the frustration felt by many observers at the continued overlooking of a bowler who has been the standout seamer in India's red-ball domestic competition.

A record-breaking Ranji season

The basis for the outrage lies in Nabi's remarkable numbers. He finished the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season as the leading wicket-taker, claiming a record 60 wickets and playing a pivotal role in guiding Jammu and Kashmir to their maiden Ranji title.

That was no flash in the pan, either. Across the last two Ranji seasons, Nabi has taken an impressive 104 wickets, form so compelling that it earned him a maiden IPL contract with Delhi Capitals worth INR 8.40 crore. He also featured in the unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka A, adding six wickets to his tally.

The Afghanistan Test opportunity missed

A key part of Pathan's argument centred on a missed opportunity to blood the pacer. He questioned the very rationale of India's one-off Test against Afghanistan, which fell outside the World Test Championship, and argued it was the perfect stage to test Nabi.

Pointing out that Mohammed Siraj is India's go-to bowler and becomes the clear No. 1 in Bumrah's absence, Pathan asked what the need was to play Siraj in a low-stakes fixture. If domestic performances truly mattered, he reasoned, that match was the ideal chance to reward and examine Nabi at the highest level. Instead, Nabi served only as one of six net bowlers and cover for Siraj.

The selectors' rationale

In fairness, the selectors' choices for the Sri Lanka squad do carry their own internal logic. The pace attack has been built around Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar, with Bumrah's inclusion subject to fitness clearance.

To accommodate Nabi, the selectors would essentially have had to drop one of those established quicks, a step they were unwilling to take. Meanwhile, the one fresh addition to the squad was off-spinning all-rounder Saransh Jain, drafted in specifically to cover for the injured Washington Sundar and to exploit the presence of several left-handers in Sri Lanka's batting order.

The conditions factor

The nature of the assignment also worked against Nabi. Sri Lankan pitches traditionally favour spin over pace, meaning India were always likely to prioritise their spin options and a settled, experienced seam unit for the subcontinental challenge.

There are also questions about Nabi's suitability for the international step-up. His primary strengths are swing and impeccable control over line and length, which have thrived across varied Indian domestic conditions. However, he lacks the express pace of the likes of Brar, Prince Yadav and Mayank Yadav, who can consistently bowl above 140 kph — an attribute increasingly valued by the national selectors.

A broader point about domestic cricket

Beyond the specifics of Nabi's case, Pathan's comments tapped into a wider principle he clearly feels strongly about: the importance of rewarding domestic excellence. His frustration stemmed from a sense that outstanding red-ball performances were not being met with tangible opportunities.

It is a debate that resonates across Indian cricket, where the sheer depth of talent means even record-breaking seasons do not guarantee a national call-up. For players toiling on the domestic circuit, the pathway to the senior side can feel frustratingly narrow.

Nabi's wait goes on

For Auqib Nabi himself, the immediate reality is that his wait for a maiden India cap continues. Having done just about everything asked of him at the domestic level, he now faces the challenge of remaining patient and maintaining his standards until another opportunity arises.

His IPL stint offered a note of caution, with five wicketless matches for Delhi Capitals at an expensive economy rate, and the selectors may want to see him adapt his skills to different formats and conditions. But in the red-ball arena, his case remains a compelling one.

The final word

Irfan Pathan's candid remarks have reignited the perennial question of how India balances proven experience with the rewarding of domestic form. While the selectors' picks for Sri Lanka carry a defensible logic given the conditions and squad balance, the continued omission of the Ranji Trophy's leading wicket-taker is understandably difficult for many to accept. For now, Auqib Nabi must keep knocking on the door — and hope that his weight of performance eventually becomes impossible to ignore.