Mumbai, April 3: Aakib Nabi, the fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir, candidly shared insights about his early cricketing life and the inspirations that shaped his journey. He revealed that his childhood revolved around playing cricket, drawing motivation from his idols, Dale Steyn and Parvez Rasool. Nabi credited former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan for significantly aiding his debut for the state team.
In an interview with ‘GeoStar’, Nabi stated, “I started playing cricket with a tennis ball in the fifth or sixth grade. There weren’t any specific practice areas in Baramulla, so we played on the streets or in a small school ground. As a child, I admired Dale Steyn’s ability to swing the ball at high speeds, which inspired me to become a fast bowler. I hope to play for India one day. My father often scolded me for playing cricket instead of focusing on studies. He wanted me to become a doctor.”
Discussing the influence of Parvez Rasool and Irfan Pathan, Nabi mentioned, “Parvez Rasool made his debut for India after performing well for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. Watching him inspired me to aim for the national team. He is one of us, hailing from a local village in Jammu and Kashmir. I first made a name for myself when I was selected for the Under-19 team trials. At that time, I didn’t have spikes, so I borrowed a pair from a senior.”
Nabi recounted, “I made my junior debut for Jammu and Kashmir wearing those borrowed spikes. When Irfan Bhai became the mentor for the Jammu and Kashmir team, I was part of the Under-23 squad, and my performance caught his attention. He helped me debut for the senior team and provided valuable tips and guidance. His experience as a legendary player for Team India was incredibly beneficial.”
Last year, during the mini-auction in Dubai, the Delhi Capitals acquired Nabi for ₹8.2 crores. Reflecting on that emotional moment after his stellar performance in the Duleep Trophy, he said, “This year, I set a unique record by taking four wickets in four consecutive balls while playing for the North Zone team in the Duleep Trophy. After that, my name was everywhere in the media. I felt confident that I might be picked in the IPL auction. On auction day, I was at home with my family, watching the event. When my name was called, there was a brief moment when no one raised the paddle. I thought, ‘That’s okay, I’ll work harder to ensure I don’t go unsold.’ However, moments later, teams started raising their paddles, and everyone at home became emotional. It was the fruit of years of hard work. The price tag doesn’t pressure me; I just want to play in the IPL and make a name for myself while representing India.”
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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