Vijay Shankar Praises Azmatullah Omarzai and Backs Nitish Kumar Reddy

Vijay Shankar has picked Azmatullah Omarzai as his favorite player from Afghanistan during the ongoing T20I series against India. The former India all-rounder highlighted Omarzai’s ability to contribute with the bat, ball and in the field, calling him a complete all-rounder rather than a player who offers only a few overs with the ball.

Omarzai provided one of the few positives for Afghanistan during the opening T20I in Delhi on September 13. India produced a dominant seven-wicket victory while chasing 157, but the Afghanistan all-rounder remained unbeaten on 64 from 44 deliveries and showed why he is regarded as one of the important members of the team.

The 26-year-old also made an impact with the ball. He dismissed Sanju Samson during his only over of the innings, although he conceded 14 runs in the process. For Shankar, Omarzai’s overall skill set makes him particularly valuable in modern limited-overs cricket.

Vijay Shankar calls Azmatullah Omarzai his favorite player

Speaking on Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube channel, Shankar explained why Omarzai stands out to him. His assessment focused on the Afghanistan star’s ability to influence different phases of a match instead of being restricted to one specific role.

Omarzai can move the ball both ways, contribute important runs in the middle order and provide athletic fielding. Those qualities allow Afghanistan to use him as a genuine all-round option rather than simply a batter who occasionally bowls or a bowler who can bat.

That distinction is important in T20 cricket, where teams constantly look for players who can cover multiple roles. A player capable of contributing across batting, bowling and fielding gives the captain more flexibility when building a playing XI.

Omarzai’s performance against India illustrated exactly why Shankar rates him so highly. Afghanistan were under pressure after losing early wickets during their innings, but Omarzai remained at the crease and helped them reach a competitive total of 156/6. His unbeaten knock became the standout individual performance for the visitors.

Why Omarzai is becoming important for Afghanistan

Omarzai has gradually established himself as an important player for Afghanistan across formats. His value has been particularly noticeable in ODI cricket, where he has shown that his batting is not merely designed to support the top order.

According to the figures highlighted in the source, Omarzai averages more than 40 with the bat in ODIs while maintaining a strike rate of 98.50. His bowling average in the format is 28.28, underlining his ability to make meaningful contributions in both departments.

Those numbers help explain Shankar’s description of Omarzai as a proper all-rounder. In international cricket, the difference between a part-time option and a genuine all-rounder can be significant. A player who can be trusted with the ball while also producing substantial runs provides greater balance to the team.

Afghanistan have traditionally relied heavily on their specialist bowlers, particularly their spin options. The development of players such as Omarzai gives them another route to building a balanced XI. His presence can allow the team to strengthen the batting without sacrificing too much bowling depth.

Omarzai’s unbeaten 64 was a major positive for Afghanistan

The first T20I did not go Afghanistan’s way. India chased down the 157-run target in just the 14th over, losing only three wickets in the process. Despite the one-sided result, Omarzai’s innings offered Afghanistan something to build on.

He scored 64 not out from 44 balls and remained composed while wickets fell around him. His innings helped Afghanistan avoid an even lower total and gave the visitors a player around whom they could potentially build their middle-order plans.

His contribution was not limited to batting. Omarzai also removed Samson when the Indian wicketkeeper-batter was beginning to settle. Although his single over went for 14 runs, the dismissal demonstrated that Afghanistan can turn to him for wickets when required.

For the second T20I, Afghanistan will need considerably more support around Omarzai. One strong individual performance was not enough to prevent India from taking a 1-0 lead, and the visitors now need improvements in several areas if they are to level the series in Delhi.

Vijay Shankar also backs Nitish Kumar Reddy

Shankar did not limit his assessment to Afghanistan. He also spoke about India’s young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and argued that the 23-year-old should receive a consistent run in the playing XI.

Nitish was part of India’s team for the first T20I against Afghanistan, but the match did not provide him with much opportunity. India’s successful chase ended in the 14th over, meaning he never needed to bat.

His bowling spell was also difficult. Nitish delivered two overs and conceded 30 runs without taking a wicket. On a personal level, it was therefore a limited opportunity, despite India winning comfortably.

Shankar believes judging an all-rounder from such small opportunities can be unfair. A player who bats lower down the order may have to wait for a long time before getting a chance with the bat. Similarly, a fifth bowling option may receive only one or two overs, making every delivery particularly important.

According to Shankar’s assessment, India should therefore give Nitish a proper run instead of changing their expectations after every expensive spell or low-involvement match.

Why Nitish Kumar Reddy needs a longer opportunity

Being a batting all-rounder in a strong Indian team comes with a difficult challenge. India have several established batters competing for positions, which means a player such as Nitish may spend an entire innings waiting for a chance to contribute with the bat.

The same problem can occur with his bowling. If the specialist bowlers perform well, the captain may only need Nitish for a couple of overs. If those overs go for runs, his overall figures can quickly look poor even though he has not been given enough responsibility to settle into the game.

Shankar’s argument is therefore based on opportunity and consistency. Nitish needs repeated matches in which he knows his role and understands that one difficult performance will not immediately cost him his place.

This becomes even more relevant with Hardik Pandya unavailable. India need to identify reliable all-round options who can contribute in both departments, particularly as the team continues preparing its combinations for future white-ball assignments.

Nitish has had limited opportunities since his India debut

Nitish made his India debut in late 2024, but he has played only 21 matches across formats in nearly two years. That relatively limited international exposure means there is still considerable scope for his game to develop.

International all-rounders often require time to understand their responsibilities. Their role can change depending on the opposition, pitch conditions, batting order and bowling combination. Consistency in selection can help a young player develop that understanding.

For Nitish, the Afghanistan series could therefore be useful even if he does not immediately produce a match-winning performance. Regular involvement would allow India to evaluate whether he can become a dependable option rather than judging him solely through isolated appearances.

India’s fifth-bowling option remains an important issue

The first T20I also highlighted the broader challenge surrounding India’s fifth-bowling option. When a team has several specialist batters and four primary bowlers, the all-rounder becomes an important link between the two departments.

Nitish’s presence gives India another possible bowling option, but his effectiveness will depend on how much confidence the captain places in him. If he is used only occasionally, it becomes difficult to establish whether he can handle pressure in international cricket.

At the same time, an all-rounder cannot expect unlimited opportunities simply because he offers two skills. His performances still need to improve, particularly with the ball after the expensive spell in the series opener.

The key for India is finding the right balance between patience and performance. Giving Nitish a consistent run does not mean guaranteeing his place indefinitely. It means allowing him enough matches to demonstrate whether he can fulfill the role the team wants from him.

AFG vs IND second T20I: What to expect

India entered the second T20I with a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after their comfortable victory in Delhi. Afghanistan, meanwhile, needed a stronger collective performance after relying heavily on Omarzai during the opening match.

Omarzai will once again be one of Afghanistan’s players to watch. His ability to contribute in multiple departments makes him an important part of the visitors’ plans, especially against a deep Indian lineup.

For India, the focus will be on maintaining their winning momentum while assessing their combination. The team also has to manage the workload and opportunities of players who are being considered for important future roles.

Nitish’s position is particularly interesting in that context. A stronger performance in the second match could give him valuable confidence and strengthen his case for a longer run in the side.

Omarzai vs Nitish: Two all-rounders, different stages

Shankar’s comments bring an interesting comparison into focus. Omarzai has already established himself as a key member of Afghanistan’s setup, while Nitish is still attempting to secure a consistent role for India.

Omarzai’s advantage is experience and responsibility. Afghanistan have increasingly trusted him across formats, and his performances suggest he can influence matches with both bat and ball.

Nitish, meanwhile, is still in the development phase of his international career. His challenge is not simply to show that he can perform, but to convince India that he can consistently handle the demands of being a genuine all-rounder.

That is why Shankar’s praise of Omarzai and his support for Nitish carry a common message: modern all-rounders become most valuable when teams trust them with meaningful responsibilities in both disciplines.

What Vijay Shankar’s comments mean for India

Shankar’s assessment is ultimately less about selecting one player over another and more about recognizing the value of genuine all-rounders. Omarzai has shown Afghanistan what such a player can offer, while Nitish still has the opportunity to develop into that type of cricketer for India.

For Afghanistan, Omarzai’s unbeaten 64 provides an encouraging sign despite the heavy defeat. The team will need more contributions from its other batters and bowlers, but having an all-rounder capable of producing such an innings gives them a strong foundation.

For India, Nitish’s situation requires patience. He did not receive a batting opportunity in the opening match and struggled during his two overs. One game, however, provides only limited evidence about a young player’s long-term potential.

With Hardik Pandya unavailable and India continuing to explore their white-ball combinations, Nitish has an opportunity to make the all-rounder position his own. Whether he can take advantage of that opportunity will depend on both his performances and the consistency of the chances he receives.

Final Verdict

Vijay Shankar’s praise for Azmatullah Omarzai underlines why the Afghanistan star has become such an important part of his national team. His unbeaten 64 against India showed his batting quality, while his ability to bowl and field effectively makes him a genuine all-round package.

At the same time, Shankar’s backing of Nitish Kumar Reddy highlights a different challenge. The young Indian all-rounder needs regular opportunities to prove that he can contribute consistently in both departments. A difficult two-over spell should not be the only measure of his ability.

As the AFG vs IND T20I series continues, Omarzai will be looking to turn his impressive start into more match-winning contributions, while Nitish has a chance to strengthen his case for a longer run in India’s playing XI. Both players represent the growing importance of versatile all-rounders in modern T20 cricket.