With an eye on India's upcoming Test tour of New Zealand, the BCCI is exploring short-term opportunities with English county teams for promising fast bowler Auqib Nabi during the final stages of the County Championship.
Nabi, who finished last Ranji Trophy season as the leading wicket-taker with 60 wickets, did not feature in India's playing XI for the recent two-Test series against Sri Lanka. Gurnoor Brar was also left out of both matches.
With Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna being given workload-related breaks, Gurnoor is set to join the North Zone squad for their Duleep Trophy semi-final against South Zone, beginning November 30 at the Centre of Excellence.
"It was a decision taken by the Indian team think-tank (team management and selection committee) that Gurnoor will be playing the Duleep Trophy. Already Arshdeep (Singh) and Anshul (Kamboj) are in playing eleven and Gurnoor will replace Sunil Kumar. So, BCCI is looking for at least two to three red-ball games for Auqib in England, which will be handy," a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.
Surrey are understood to be searching for a swing bowler, and discussions have taken place over Nabi potentially turning out for the London-based county in a few matches.
Former England captain Alec Stewart, who is a senior figure at Surrey, is also believed to have been in touch with relevant BCCI officials regarding the possibility.
"While conditions are slightly different in New Zealand, but Auqib certainly will be in the scheme of things. So, a couple of games won't be bad for him while Gurnoor plays the Duleep Trophy. The BCCI is trying to get his UK visa and upon arrival, he might leave for UK," the source added.
The BCCI has previously facilitated county opportunities for several Indian players. Manav Suthar has already featured in two matches for Warwickshire, while Kuldeep Yadav has returned to England for Yorkshire's red-ball fixtures. Ashutosh Sharma also represented Middlesex in the Royal London One-Day Cup.
