Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has made sensational remarks against Hardik Pandya ahead of India’s win in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday, February 26.
Irfan Pathan’s big attack on Hardik Pandya before victory in T20 World Cup 2026
Irfan Pathan has blamed Hardik Pandya’s poor form for the absence of Kuldeep Yadav in India’s playing XI in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. After India’s massive defeat to South Africa in the Super 8 match, many are questioning Kuldeep’s absence in the starting eleven.
India’s batting failed miserably against the Proteas bowling attack, but many cricket experts believe that the defending champions lack a proper wicket-taking spinner in the middle overs.
Also read: Mohammad Aamir makes explosive IND vs ZIM prediction; Claim again, India will not reach the semi-finals
Ahead of India’s do-or-die clash against Zimbabwe, Pathan believes the team management has lost faith in Hardik’s bowling, especially in the death overs. Hardik Pandya scored 45 runs in his four overs against South Africa. His economy rate in the tournament is 8.67.
Pathan blamed Hardik Pandya for Kuldeep Yadav’s absence.
News18 quoted Irfan Pathan as saying, “Hardik Pandya tried the yorker just once and went for the hard length for the rest. He was hit for sixes and that was a huge over which swung the momentum in South Africa’s favour. When something like that happens, the management loses confidence in that bowler. Arshdeep becomes very important in that.”
Because of this, Pathan said that the team cannot afford to drop young fast bowler Arshdeep Singh. The commentator further added, “It is very important to play Arshdeep. If Hardik was bowling well in the death overs, you would think that he would bowl well with the new ball and at the back end as well. In that case, India can go with an extra spinner, as we saw in the Asia Cup.”
“But the pitches here are different. So, you should go with Arshdeep. India will definitely think of bringing in Kuldeep, but for that they have to drop Arshdeep, and you don’t have a bowler who can bowl yorkers with Bumrah in the death overs,” he said.
Also read: England legend calls Gautam Gambhir’s comparison with Brendon McCullum ‘obnoxious’ and ‘arrogant’
Akshar Patel got Pathan’s support in place of Washington Sundar.
Pathan also said that India should seriously think about bringing back Axar Patel in place of Washington Sundar. The former Indian all-rounder feels Axar gives better control, especially against left-handed batsmen, and can also score valuable runs for the team.
He said, “But Axar is such a bowler who does not give any space to left-handed batsmen. If the batsman is playing the sweep well, he starts bowling wide. He bowls very well against left-handed batsmen also. His batting is very underrated. He plays important innings when needed.”
However, there are strong indications that Sanju Samson and Axar Patel will return to India’s playing XI for the virtual eliminator against Zimbabwe in Chennai on Thursday. Zimbabwe have been in great form in the group stage and will be aiming to deliver another shock in the T20 World Cup 2026.