IT WAS a special moment for Nagpur Cricket Academy (NCA). One of its cricketers Harsh Dubey, who trains at the academy, got selected in the Indian team for the Afghanistan series starting June 6. Bowling all-rounder Dubey was picked by Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel for the one-off Test and three One-Day Internationals against the visiting Afghanistan team. The Test begins June 6 at Mullanpur followed by three ODIs from June 14 across Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Chennai. Budding cricketers along with NCA Director Madhav Bakre, Sunil Mujumdar and Harsh’s father Surendra Dubey celebrated their wards selection by cutting cake at the academy on Tuesday evening. Hundreds of budding cricketers soaked in the moment and celebrated Harsh’s maiden call-up.

 

Bakre was elated and said the entire academy is overjoyed with Harsh’s selection. “We were expecting the call. Harsh deserves it. He has shown his abilities during his India ‘A’ stint and in the ongoing Indian Premier League,” said Bakre. “It is a proud moment for NCA,” he added. The Indian Test and ODI teams will be led by Shubman Gill while KL Rahul will be the vice-captain in the red ball cricket. Dubey has been a regular in India A squads and has performed to the expectations of the selectors. The left-arm spinner and batter is also a regular with Sunrisers Hyderabad side in Indian Premier League. The 23-year-old Dubey has a record of taking highest wickets in single Ranji season with 69 scalps in 2024-25 season.