NEW DELHI: Auqib Nabi’s outstanding contribution in guiding Jammu and Kashmir cricket team to their maiden Ranji Trophy final has thrust him into the spotlight, yet the pacer appears calm as he prepares for the biggest game of his career.

Nabi stands as the second highest wicket taker this season with 55 wickets from 16 innings at an impressive average of 12.72.

A tougher test awaits him in the final beginning February 24, where J&K face a powerful Karnataka cricket team batting unit featuring KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Karun Nair, Mayank Agarwal and the prolific Ravichandran Smaran.

However, the magnitude of the challenge has only strengthened his resolve.

"I am just focussing on the present. I am not paying much attention to the outside noises. I will try to get more wickets in the final, focus on my process that has given me wickets so far. I am not thinking much about the expectations," Nabi told PTI.

"Obviously, there will be expectations. But I am just feeling positive. I will bowl in areas where I have been bowling this season, and that's my focus," he added.

Jammu and Kashmir will take on eight time champions Karnataka at the KSCA Stadium in Bengaluru, effectively on the opposition’s home turf.

Nabi is not overly concerned about the home advantage, drawing confidence from his team’s strong performances away from home this season.

In fact, J&K secured their quarterfinal and semifinal wins on the road, beating Madhya Pradesh in Indore and Bengal in Kalyani.

"I am feeling very good. In fact, we all have been working hard for this for many years. Finally, this moment is here. The final is a big game, but everyone is positive. We have gone to the opponent's home ground and have defeated them. It is a very good boost for the team.

"We have won in Delhi's home ground, Bengal's home ground, and MP's home ground. We are very positive about that and not thinking much. We just need to remain positive," he noted.

Nabi believes that bowling across varied conditions in India has sharpened his ability to adapt, something he hopes to utilise in the summit clash.

"No matter what the wicket is or the conditions are, I have to bowl in a particular channel. That's what gave me wickets this season and the final will not change anything. I need to bowl in that channel (outside the off-stump).

"But yes, you need to adapt to the conditions quickly and make sure that I hit that channel sooner than later. I have not seen the wicket here, but I have come with good preparation and I trust that," he said.

Boost for youngsters

Nabi said reaching the Ranji Trophy final has significantly lifted the morale of the younger members of the squad.

"It is a very big thing for our young players. We have come to the Ranji Trophy final for the first time. It is a very prestigious tournament. Everyone is excited about it. Everyone has worked hard for it.

"It will be a good experience for them as well, you know, playing in a big match against such good opponents," he said.

At the same time, Nabi acknowledged the influence of head coach Ajay Sharma and bowling coach P Krisnakumar in shaping the team’s campaign.

"Ajay bhai was a legend of his time. He has played and won a lot of matches. It is a blessing that he is coaching us as he knows how to keep everyone together.

"And for Krishnakumar sir, earlier, we didn't have a bowling coach. Even when we used to do something wrong, there was no one to correct us.

“Now, we have had a bowling coach for the last 2-3 years. He helped us a lot. He has made a drastic change in our bowling. He gives us regular feedback and after that we have started doing well as a unit,” said Nabi.

J&K to benefit

Nabi is confident that J&K’s entry into the final will have a lasting impact on cricket in the region.

"It is a very good boost. Earlier parents used to say that J&K has no future in sports or cricket. Now, a lot of players are coming up. We are in the Ranji final and everyone is following our cricket.

"It will be a good boost for parents. They will say that you can go and play cricket. They now know that if the children work hard there is a future for them in cricket or in sports. It is a very good thing for J&K,” he added.

The 29 year old also expressed hope that the team’s success will accelerate infrastructure development in the region.

"The infrastructure is still developing. But yes, it is better than before. We have been practising for 10-20 weeks a year in Srinagar and Jammu.

"Now, we would love to see a ground in every district of Jammu and Kashmir. It will be a big boost for our cricketers as they will get to practise everywhere," Nabi signed off.

(With PTI Inputs)