The exclusion of Auqib Nabi, a fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir, from the Indian squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan has sparked significant controversy. Despite being the top wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy and achieving 104 wickets over the last two seasons, Nabi was not selected, with the selectors opting for Gurnoor Brar, an uncapped bowler from Punjab, as a backup for Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. Former Indian pacer Dodda Ganesh expressed his disappointment on social media, stating that no justification could convince him of Nabi's non-selection, especially given his outstanding performances. Ganesh criticized the BCCI for sending a 'wrong message' to young players who strive for excellence in domestic cricket. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar acknowledged Nabi's impressive record but explained that the selection was based on the team's specific requirements and the limited number of seamers chosen for the Test format. This decision has raised questions about the criteria used for player selection and the recognition of domestic achievements.