IPL 2026: 3 Teams That Must Go After Mohammad Nabi, Including SunRisers Hyderabad

Veteran Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi showed he can still perform at 40 with a brilliant display in the Asia Cup 2025 match against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on September 18. With Afghanistan needing a win to move forward, Nabi scored a fast 60 off 22 balls, hitting six sixes.

He took Afghanistan from 79/6 to a total of 169/8 in 20 overs. Nabi also bowled well, giving only 20 runs in 3 overs and taking 1 wicket. Unfortunately, his efforts were not enough, and Afghanistan lost by six wickets, ending their tournament run. Despite the loss, Nabi has made himself a player to watch for the IPL 2026 mini-auction.

3 Teams That Should Target Mohammad Nabi in IPL 2026

Veteran cricketer Mohammad Nabi went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction after a mediocre 2024 season for Mumbai Indians (MI). But with several teams needing a spin-bowling all-rounder, Nabi is likely to get many bidders in the IPL 2026 auction.

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1. SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH)

SRH came into IPL 2025 with high expectations after finishing runners-up in 2024. But they won only six out of 14 matches and missed the playoffs. One major problem was the lack of a reliable all-rounder and an experienced T20 spinner. By signing Nabi, SRH can fill both gaps.

With stars like Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, and Pat Cummins, SRH has strong overseas players. Yet, the fourth overseas option for spin-bowling and all-rounder roles, like Adam Zampa or Kamindu Mendis, did not perform. Nabi could be the ideal No. 7 with the bat and a reliable spinner with the ball. His age should not be a problem for their short-term and long-term goals.

2. Rajasthan Royals (RR)

RR has struggled to find a good all-rounder for No. 6 or 7. IPL 2025 was no different, and they finished second from bottom with only four wins. They relied on Sri Lankan spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga. But together they took only 22 wickets at an average of 35 and economy of nearly 9.5. Hasaranga also scored only 9 runs in 11 matches. An in-form Nabi could replace Theekshana as an off-spinner or Hasaranga as the spin-bowling all-rounder, helping RR improve next season.

3. Punjab Kings (PBKS)

PBKS reached the IPL 2025 final and are a win-now team. They have most areas covered, but a spin-bowling all-rounder could help in crucial matches. Looking at IPL 2025 winners RCB, spin-bowling all-rounder Krunal Pandya played a key role. PBKS has Harpreet Brar and Yuzvendra Chahal as spinners, and Marco Jansen and Azmatullah Omarzai as pace-bowling all-rounders. But a finger spinner who can also bat was missing. Adding Nabi while keeping their core team makes PBKS strong contenders for their first IPL title next year.