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Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi is in line for a place in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand after Prasidh Krishna’s hamstring injury left him set to miss the five-match contest. Reports on Wednesday, October 28, said Nabi’s recent performance for India A had strengthened his case, although the replacement had not yet been formally confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India at the time of reporting.
The ODI series is scheduled to begin on November 4. Krishna, who was selected subject to fitness, is continuing his recovery from a left hamstring injury sustained during India’s home ODI series against the West Indies.
A BCCI source told the Press Trust of India that Krishna was recovering well but had match simulation and fitness tests scheduled at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on November 1 and 2. The source indicated that the team management and national selection committee wanted the pacer fully ready for the Test assignment, where they considered him more important than in the ODI series.
Krishna suffered the injury during the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati. He bowled five overs and took one wicket for 45 runs before the hamstring problem forced him out of the match. He subsequently missed the third ODI, and his recovery has continued into preparations for the New Zealand tour.
The 30-year-old has played nine Tests and 30 ODIs for India, according to PTI reporting. His availability for the New Zealand Tests was therefore a key consideration in the decision not to rush him back into the 50-over side before he had completed his rehabilitation and fitness checks.
Nabi, a right-arm pacer from Jammu and Kashmir, has been playing for India A in New Zealand. His work in the first unofficial red-ball match against New Zealand A reportedly caught the attention of the touring selectors. PTI reports said Nabi took three wickets in the second innings and generated seam movement in conditions that offered a useful test of his skills.
The performances have placed Nabi in contention for a senior India call-up. The situation is especially relevant because he is already in New Zealand with the India A group, which could make a transition to the senior setup more straightforward if selectors confirm the move.
However, reports on October 28 described Nabi as a likely replacement rather than citing a formal announcement from the BCCI. The squad change should therefore be treated as expected but not official until the board or team management confirms it.
If Nabi is added to the squad, the move would give India another fast-bowling option while allowing Krishna to focus on returning to full fitness. It would also reward a domestic performer whose recent work against New Zealand A has brought him into consideration at senior level.
India’s pace resources for the ODI series include experienced bowler Mohammed Siraj alongside less-experienced options. The series will provide a demanding test in New Zealand, where conditions can offer seam movement and bounce. Nabi’s India A outing has given selectors a recent look at how he handles those conditions, although an international debut would represent a step up in intensity and pressure.
For Krishna, the priority is to complete the planned match simulation and fitness assessments without aggravating the injury. The source cited by PTI said the management did not want to rush him immediately into the ODI plans, especially with the Test series also on the schedule.
The immediate dates to watch are November 1 and 2, when Krishna is scheduled for his fitness and match simulation assessments in Bengaluru, and November 4, when the ODI series is due to begin. A formal announcement on Nabi’s status would settle whether he joins the senior squad as Krishna’s replacement.
Until the BCCI confirms the change, the most accurate position is that Krishna is expected to miss the ODI series and Nabi is in contention to replace him. The final squad announcement will determine whether the Jammu and Kashmir pacer receives his first opportunity in India’s senior ODI setup.
