Auqib Nabi, a cricketer from Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir, persisted in his passion for cricket despite his father Ghulam Nabi's initial opposition due to safety concerns. With family support and hard work, Auqib played a key role in Jammu and Kashmir's Ranji Trophy victory. His journey highlights determination amid limited facilities in the region.
Auqib Nabi's rise in cricket began on pebble-strewn grounds in Baramulla, where facilities were scarce. His father, Ghulam Nabi, a government school teacher in Shiri near Baramulla, initially discouraged him from playing. 'Initially, I stopped him strictly,' Ghulam said, worried about his son disappearing for long periods and potential risks like violence or drugs. Ghulam had played cricket himself but quit after marriage due to responsibilities and wanted Auqib to pursue medicine, as he excelled academically in eighth grade.
Despite scoldings and being locked up, the shy Auqib never argued back. From ninth to twelfth grade, Ghulam pushed for studies, but Auqib's dedication won out. 'Uska junoon dekh ke maine haar maan li,' Ghulam recalled, meaning he surrendered to his son's passion. The family, including Auqib's mother and grandmother who were cricket enthusiasts, eventually supported him. Finances were tight, but they took loans and local help like free bus rides to training 60 km away.
Auqib faced rejections in early U19 trials for JKCA but succeeded on the third attempt. In 2014-15, Ghulam saw his son's batting talent in the Downtown Premier League, evoking memories of his favorite players Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. Auqib's key performances included taking four wickets in four balls in a Duleep Trophy match against East Zone and dismissing top batters like Karun Nair, KL Rahul, and Devdutt Padikkal during Day 3 of the Ranji final. Even then, Ghulam watched highlights later from his classroom.
Snubs for India A and IPL auctions hurt the family, but Auqib remained optimistic, telling his mother, 'Ek din aapke bete ki boli karodon mein hogi.' His persistence paid off with Jammu and Kashmir's Ranji Trophy win. Ghulam now wishes for his son's safety and a chance to play for India. 'He kept working hard, and never complained,' he said. Auqib's introversion meant the family gauged his emotions from phone calls, sensing his desire for the team's victory on Day 4 of the final.
