Former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar has questioned selectors and team management for putting Ranji Trophy performances on the back burner after the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Vengsarkar expressed his surprise after Auqib Nabi Dar didn’t play a single Test on the Sri Lanka tour despite being in terrific form in the last two editions of the Ranji Trophy.
The fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir was not initially named in India’s squad and was later picked as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement. But he didn’t make his debut against Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, Nabi led Jammu and Kashmir to glory for the first time in the domestic tournament’s history. Nabi scalped 60 wickets in 10 matches of the 2025-26 season at a stunning average of 12.57, including seven five-wicket hauls.
Dilip Vengsarkar said on RevSportz, “If you feel that these domestic games are not criteria for selection to the Indian team, then scrap the Ranji Trophy. Don’t play the Ranji Trophy. Why do you want to play it? These players are working hard. They are winning matches. They are taking wickets. If they are not rewarded with an India cap, then it is a waste of time.”
“There is another guy called Auqib Nabi, who did so well for Jammu and Kashmir. He almost single-handedly helped them win the Ranji Trophy. I think these players should be given an opportunity because he has taken more than 100 wickets in two seasons. That’s a hell of a lot of wickets.”
On the other hand, Vengsarkar urged the selectors to pick veteran pacer Mohammed Shami for the New Zealand tour. Shami recently picked seven wickets in the Duleep Trophy and also bagged 37 wickets in the previous season of the Ranji Trophy.
“I don’t know why Shami has been sidelined, to be honest with you. He has done extremely well in domestic cricket as well as international cricket. He is a very good bowler, and he should be an integral part of the Indian team. Shami should be in the Test squad for the New Zealand series. I don’t know why he is out of the team,” said Vengsarkar (via the aforementioned source).
Shami last played for India in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
