Sarandeep Singh on Nabi’s Impact and India’s Batting Order Choices

Former Indian spin bowler and selector Sarandeep Singh discussed how Afghanistan may rely on veteran all‑rounder Mohammad Nabi to lead their bowling attack in the opening T20 match. Singh believes that using Nabi on a new ball could make run‑scoring harder for India’s left‑handed top order and that taking early wickets will be a priority for the Afghan side.

He warned that India must handle Nabi’s experience carefully, as the player can shift the game's direction with a single over. The ongoing debate about the series focuses on the challenge posed by Nabi, leg‑spinner Rashid Khan and wrist‑spinner Noor Ahmad, especially during the powerplay and the middle phase of the innings.

According to Singh, the decision on whether Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma open, or if Sanju Samson returns, will affect Nabi’s utilization. Singh recalled the difficulties Abhishek Sharma faced against quality spin in the T20 World Cup and suggested Afghanistan could exploit a similar weakness.

Singh also highlighted Afghanistan’s extensive T20 league experience, underscoring their status as a tough opponent for Shreyas Iyer’s India. Anticipating high scores at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, he recommended a spin combination of Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar and Akshar Patel to provide balance and variety in India’s bowling lineup.