The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has reached the Super 8 stage after the group-stage matches. The undefeated Indian team will take on a strong South African unit led by Aiden Markram in their opening Super 8 encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, February 22.
Ahead of the blockbuster game between the 2024 finalists, the host broadcaster assembled a star-studded expert panel featuring Yuzvendra Chahal, Sanjay Bangar, Aakash Chopra and Cheteshwar Pujara to break down key matchups and team strategies in rapid-fire “Right or Wrong” segments.
Yuzvendra Chahal disagrees that Hardik Pandya is a better finisher than Tristan Stubbs
The issue of India’s middle order came up during the expert discussion and the panel gave a clear opinion on the batting order. When asked whether Shivam Dubey should bat before Hardik Pandya, Sanjay Bangar and Yuzvendra Chahal said, no. He felt that Hardik’s experience and calm approach mattered more in the big moments.
The experts also discussed the final roles in both the teams. Yuzvendra Chahal does not agree that Hardik is a better finisher than South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs. He felt that Stubbs could be very dangerous at the end of the innings.
The experienced Indian all-rounder has scored 2,158 runs in 133 matches at an average of 28.03 and a strike rate of 144.93, including eight half-centuries with a career-best score of 71*.
The 25-year-old Stubbs, on the other hand, has played 48 matches and scored 873 runs at an average of 28.16 and a strike rate of 133.29, including two half-centuries with a top score of 76.
“I don’t agree.”
The studio is heated up as experts have already dived into the right or wrong showdown #TeamIndiaSuper 8 clash of T20 World Cup #SouthAfrica
icc men #T20WorldCup super 8 #INDvSA | Sun, Feb 22, 6pm pic.twitter.com/BkSB24BkWq
– Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) 20 February 2026
Experts reject claim that South Africa handles pressure better than India
When asked whether the contest between Jasprit Bumrah and Kagiso Rabada would decide the match, opinions were divided. Chahal felt that the fast bowling contest could be crucial, while Sanjay Bangar did not agree that it alone would determine the result.
Sanjay Bangar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Aakash Chopra and Cheteshwar Pujara all dismissed the idea that South Africa handles pressure better than India. Aakash Chopra and Yuzvendra Chahal believed that the powerplay could shape the match, while Cheteshwar Pujara and Sanjay Bangar disagreed.
Bangar and Chahal felt that spin could play a major role, but both Chopra and Pujara rejected the idea. Notably, India have two spinners in the playing eleven, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel.
India’s middle order rated stronger than South Africa’s by expert panel
The expert panel shared mixed views on the reasons for India’s success in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. When asked if India’s fearless approach was their biggest strength, Yuzvendra Chahal and Cheteshwar Pujara agreed with the statement, while Sanjay Bangar and Aakash Chopra did not.
There was complete consensus on India’s middle order. All four experts – Chahal, Chopra, Bangar and Pujara – believe India’s middle order is stronger than South Africa’s.
The panel was divided on India’s priority in chasing targets in big matches. Yuzvendra Chahal, Aakash Chopra and Cheteshwar Pujara believed that India should chase the target, but Sanjay Bangar said that it is not always necessary to do so.
All four experts agreed that India’s death bowling has been their biggest advantage in the tournament, giving the team a clear edge in pressure situations.
Also read: Drug search or mischief? Suryakumar Yadav checks Abhishek Sharma’s pocket during training