The BCCI is exploring a short-term county stint for promising India pacer Auqib Nabi as part of its preparations for the team’s upcoming Test tour of New Zealand.
Nabi, who was the leading wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy last season with 60 scalps, did not feature in the playing XI for either of India’s two Tests against Sri Lanka.
The BCCI is now looking to provide the 24-year-old with valuable red-ball exposure in England during the final stages of the County Championship.
A short stint could allow Nabi to play two or three first-class matches and sharpen his skills in conditions that could prove useful ahead of India’s New Zealand assignment.
“It was a decision taken by the Indian team think-tank (team management and selection committee) that Gurnoor will be playing the Duleep Trophy. Already Arshdeep (Singh) and Anshul (Kamboj) are in playing eleven and Gurnoor will replace Sunil Kumar.
“So, BCCI is looking for at least two to three red-ball games for Auqib in England, which will be handy,” a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Surrey Talks Emerge For Nabi
Surrey could be a potential destination for Nabi, with the London-based county understood to be looking for a swing bowler for the final rounds of the Championship.
There have been discussions over the possibility of Nabi joining Surrey for a handful of matches.
Former England captain Alec Stewart, who is also the county’s director of cricket, is understood to have been in talks with relevant people at the BCCI regarding the arrangement.
Nabi’s ability to generate movement with the new ball could make him a suitable option for English conditions, while the experience would also help his development as a Test bowler.
“While conditions are slightly different in New Zealand, but Auqib certainly will be in the scheme of things. So, a couple of games won’t be bad for him while Gurnoor plays the Duleep Trophy.
“The BCCI is trying to get his UK visa and upon arrival, he might leave for UK,” the source added.
BCCI Managing Workloads
India have already been using overseas domestic cricket opportunities to provide their red-ball players with additional match practice.
Manav Suthar has played two matches for Warwickshire, while Kuldeep Yadav has returned to England to feature in Yorkshire’s red-ball fixtures.
Ashutosh Sharma also represented Middlesex in the Royal London One-Day Cup, while R Sai Kishore is currently playing for Gloucestershire.
The BCCI’s move to send Nabi to England reflects the importance being placed on workload management and match preparation, particularly with India’s next Test assignment in New Zealand in mind.
With Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna having earned workload-related breaks, the county opportunity could give Nabi an important chance to stake his claim for a place in India’s Test plans.
Gurnoor, meanwhile, will join North Zone for their Duleep Trophy semi-final against South Zone starting November 30 at the Centre of Excellence.
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