Auqib Nabi gets bowling tips from Kohli and Rohit in New Zealand

Prioritizing seam movement over raw pace

The senior batters told Nabi that success in New Zealand relies on seam movement instead of raw pace. They explained that top-level batsmen are comfortable handling swing, so bowlers should prioritize seam movement.

Nabi said the trio advised him that using a scrambled seam or hitting the deck hard offers a better chance to take wickets.

Nabi added that while high pace is a benefit, he intends to back his own skills. He plans to rely on the approaches that helped him succeed in domestic cricket for the fourth ODI.

India leads ODI series 2-0 ahead of fourth match

India leads the five-match ODI series 2-0 following a washout in the third match. The third game at Seddon Park in Hamilton was called off because of rain.

The fourth match of the series is scheduled for Friday at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Mera bhi wohi tha".

Nabi’s performance and adaptation in international cricket

Nabi has played three ODIs since making his debut against the West Indies in Guwahati. During that debut, he conceded 84 runs in 8.5 overs.

In the first ODI against New Zealand, he bowled six overs for 0/33. India won that match by five wickets under the DLS method.

During the second ODI, he took the wickets of Tim Seifert and Will Young, finishing with figures of 2/31 from seven overs. These were his maiden international wickets, with Seifert dismissed for a duck and Young for six runs.

Domestic success fuels the Baramulla Express

The 29-year-old is known as the Baramulla Express and earned his place on the team through consistent domestic performances.

Nabi made his ODI debut on 30 September 2026. He claimed 60 wickets in 10 Ranji Trophy matches for Jammu and Kashmir, which helped him earn a spot in India's Test squad.

He bowls in the 130 kmph range and prefers to rely on seam movement and skills honed in domestic cricket rather than focusing solely on increasing his pace.

Staying on as a net bowler for the Test series

Nabi will remain in New Zealand after the ODI series concludes to assist the team with preparations for the two-Test series. Although Nabi is not in India’s Test squad for the series beginning on November 19, he will stay in New Zealand as a net bowler.

Nabi said he had expected a red-ball call-up before his white-ball debut. He said he believes the current white-ball experience will assist his future Test opportunities as he continues to work with the Test team.

Maintaining discipline on batting-friendly pitches

Nabi highlighted the need for disciplined bowling on good batting pitches to avoid leaking runs. He said that regardless of pitch conditions, a bowler must bowl in good areas and maintain discipline to avoid conceding runs.

Nabi mentioned team discussions about plans for drop-in surfaces, referencing Arshdeep and Anshul. He noted that the weather in India and New Zealand is similar, but the opposition and level of cricket are different. Addressing concerns regarding infrastructure, Nabi said, "Whenever people say about facilities, I always say do your best and things will fall in place".