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    “I hope he is there when India travel overseas” – Wasim Jaffer backs 29-year-old excluded from IND vs AFG 2026 series

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    Former batter Wasim Jaffer backed 29-year-old pacer Auqib Nabi, who was excluded from India’s squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan. India will host Afghanistan for a single Test and three ODIs starting June 6.

    Despite having a breakthrough Ranji Trophy 2025/26 season, pacer Auqib Nabi was omitted from the Test team. The selectors went with pacer Gurnoor Brar, who brings extra pace and bounce as compared to Auqib.

    While Wasim Jaffer reckoned that Auqib deserved a chance, he was not too disappointed with his exclusion in Indian conditions. However, he reckoned that the Jammu & Kashmir pacer must be picked when India plays Tests overseas.

    “I feel they should have taken Auqib. Performance speaks for itself. There is nothing to tell here. He played the biggest role in winning the Ranji Trophy for J&K. He deserves it. But I want him to get an opportunity outside India, so I am not as disappointed, really. I can understand that in Indian conditions, he may not get many chances as he is not an out-and-out tearaway fast bowler,” he said on his YouTube channel.

    “He is a very skilful bowler. So I don’t mind, but at least he should have been in the squad given his performances. You are not doing a favor on him, he has performed. I hope he is there when India travels overseas,” he added.

    Auqib ended as the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy 2025/26. He picked up 60 wickets from 17 innings at an average of 12.56 with seven five-wicket hauls. The pacer even bagged a fifer in the final against Karnataka, returning figures of 5/54 in the first innings.

    Wasim Jaffer backs CSK to beat GT in upcoming IPL 2026 clash

    Meanwhile, Wasim Jaffer also backed the Chennai Super Kings ( CSK) to beat the Gujarat Titans (GT) in their upcoming IPL 2026 clash. Chennai play Gujarat in Ahmedabad on Thursday, May 21.

    A win in this game will guarantee GT a top-two finish, while CSK fight to remain in the hunt to make the playoffs. While Wasim Jaffer reflected that GT has been the better team, he backed CSK to win to make the points table more interesting.

    “I think Gujarat are favorites for sure. They are playing well. Yes, their game against KKR was ordinary. But overall, GT is a better team and playing at home, you expect them to do well. But I want CSK to do well and win, so things get more interesting. All teams should be interested till the last day, only then is it fun,” he said.

    A win here will take CSK to 14 points. They will then have to depend on other results to go their way to qualify.