Gautam Gambhir explains decision to give Auqib Nabi ODI debut in Guwahati
Gambhir said Nabi received his debut in a live series match to test him under pressure similar to World Cup conditions.
Gautam Gambhir said India handed Auqib Nabi his ODI debut in the second match against West Indies because the series was still alive. The head coach said a dead-rubber appearance would not expose the bowler to the pressure that mirrors World Cup conditions. Nabi replaced Nitish Kumar Reddy and became the third Jammu and Kashmir cricketer to represent India after Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik.
Nabi took 60 wickets in 17 innings during the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy at an average of 12.65. He conceded 84 runs in 8.5 overs on debut, the most runs by an Indian on ODI debut, and recorded an economy of 9.51. Gambhir said the exposure in a decisive match would help Nabi and other emerging pacers prepare for high-stakes tournaments.
CricHubb Take
By choosing a decisive fixture rather than a dead rubber, India signalled that emerging bowlers must prove themselves when results matter. Nabi's difficult debut highlights the challenge of stepping straight into a 400-run game but also shows the pathway the team is willing to offer.