Former Team India cricketer Irfan Pathan picked his X-factor for the Men in Blue for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year. The cricketer turned commentator said that all-rounder Hardik Pandya will play a decisive role for the team with his finishing skills and ability to act as the third seamer.
Hardik has been out of action since September after injuring his quadriceps during the final group match against Sri Lanka in the 2025 Asia Cup. He is set to make a comeback to international cricket in the upcoming five-match T20 series against South Africa, starting from December 9 at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.
Irfan Pathan chooses Hardik Pandya as India’s X-factor for T20 World Cup
Irfan Pathan said that Hardik Pandya will be the X-factor for India in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Pathan said Hardik, along with additional finishers lower down the order, could determine whether India is able to lift the trophy again.
“Hardik Pandya’s role will be the most important for India in the T20 and World Cup. He and the other finishers playing with him will be the biggest influencers on whether India wins the trophy again or not,” Pathan said on his YouTube channel.
The 32-year-old all-rounder brings extensive experience to India’s T20I setup. He has scored 1,860 runs in 120 matches, including five half-centuries, and has also taken 98 wickets, with 4 for 16 being his best bowling performance.
Irfan Pathan opens up on Rinku Singh being dropped from South Africa T20I
Irfan Pathan also talked about Rinku Singh being dropped from India’s T20 squad for the South Africa series. Pathan said the decision was disappointing but not surprising, adding that most of the players in India’s current group are likely to be taken to the 2026 T20 World Cup.
“Hardik Pandya is back, so Rinku Singh is out. It’s unfortunate, but expected. This group forms 90-95 per cent of the squad to be selected by India for the 2026 T20 World Cup,” Pathan said.
Shubman Gill’s return for South Africa T20I, subject to fitness clearance
Rinku Singh was dropped from the T20 team due to Hardik Pandya’s return to the team. With the return of Hardik as a finisher and all-rounder, it became difficult to make room for Rinku, who has performed well whenever she has got the chance.
Rinku recently made headlines by scoring the winning runs in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan. He was also part of the T20I squad in Australia, but due to rain in Brisbane he did not get a chance to bat in the only match for which he was selected.
The selectors preferred Washington Sundar over Rinku as head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav want more all-round options in the team.
India will also have Shubman Gill back for the series after recovering from a neck injury. Team South Africa is entering the T20I in great form, having won 13 of its 15 T20 matches this year.
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