In maiden IPL, Auqib Nabi wants to stay true to his strengths

Few domestic cricketers in recent years have evoked as much curiosity about their craft as Auqib Nabi. The pacer from Baramulla was wholly compelling in the recently concluded domestic season, helping Jammu & Kashmir win the Ranji Trophy for the first time ever with a chart-topping 60 scalps in 10 matches at an average of 12.56.

With the 29-year-old in the prime of his career, a chance in the Indian Premier League — he was picked up by Delhi Capitals for ₹8.4 crore in December’s mini-auction — couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment.

Although it is his propensity to move the red ball at will that has facilitated the added attention, it will be no less intriguing to track how Nabi copes with the demands of the world’s most high-profile T20 league. It is worth pointing out that he also impressed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy — the domestic T20 meet — last season, accounting for 15 victims in seven outings.

Nabi, true to his no-frills demeanour, stressed on simplicity when queried about his mantra with the ball across formats.

“My strength is that I swing the new ball and make early breakthroughs. At the back end, in T20, you need yorkers and slower balls. I am working on that with coaches. I won’t veer away from my strengths. I keep things simple,” Nabi said during a virtual interaction on Friday. “Obviously, there will be expectations. But I am focusing on my work, and not giving a lot of attention to outside noise.”

It is easier said than done, for the IPL, although still a domestic competition, is a considerable step-up from his assignments for J & K.

“The margin of error is less in the IPL,” assessed Nabi. “Domestic cricket is also at a good level, but in the IPL, you won’t expect to get away with a lot of mistakes. That is the difference between the IPL and domestic cricket.”