'There’s no surprise element anymore' - Ex-India spinner Sarandeep Singh analyses Rashid Khan's insipid performances

Former off-spinner Sarandeep Singh, who played for India from 2000 to 2002, lauded Noor Ahmad for his impressive performances, especially in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The Afghanistan spinner is the current IPL Purple Cap holder, having bagged 12 wickets from seven matches at an average of 14.25 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Sarandeep described Noor as a complete package who can turn the ball both ways. The former BCCI selector also backed him to lead Afghanistan's spin attack in the coming days.

“Noor is a complete package – he flights the ball, turns it both ways, and deceives batters in the air. He’s not just a back-up anymore. He has the potential to lead the spin charge for Afghanistan", Sarandeep was quoted as saying by India Today.

Noor conceded just 13 runs in his four overs in CSK's most recent fixture against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. The left-arm spinner's fantastic bowling performance played a key role in helping the Men in Yellow end a five-match losing streak. After the match, the legendary CSK skipper MS Dhoni, who scored an unbeaten 26 off 11 balls, said that Noor should have been given the Player of the Match award instead of him.

Batters have figured him out: Sarandeep Singh

Sarandeep also analysed Rashid Khan's dismal performances in the IPL of late. The former said that Afghanistan's T20 skipper doesn't bring anything new to the table anymore and that the opposition batters have started picking him. The 45-year-old also pointed out that Rashid doesn't vary his speeds while bowling his googly, and that makes it easier for the batters to play against him.

“The reason behind Rashid's failure in the last two seasons is that batters have figured him out. There’s no surprise element anymore – mostly googlies, and all at one pace,” Sarandeep said.

In six games, Rashid has taken only four wickets at an average of 53.75 and an economy rate of 9.77 for the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025.