Irfan Pathan Accuses Hardik Pandya of Blocking Kuldeep Yadav’s Playing Xi Spot in T20 World Cup 2026

The Verdict: Irfan Pathan’s Criticism of Hardik Pandya

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has dived into the fray, leveling accusations at Hardik Pandya ahead of India’s must-win T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe. This is more than just a personal attack; it’s a reflection on the team’s performance and strategy.

The timing couldn’t be worse for Hardik Pandya, whose batting was praised but his bowling has been under scrutiny recently. Pathan, speaking to News18, highlighted that Hardik’s recent form has not been up to par, particularly in the death overs where wickets are crucial.

Hardik’s Recent Performance

Against South Africa, Hardik Pandya scored 45 runs but failed to take any wickets. His economy rate stands at an unimpressive 8.67. This performance has seen many cricket experts questioning his inclusion in the starting XI.

“Hardik Pandya tried the yorker just once and went for the hard length for the rest,” Pathan said. “He got hit for sixes, and it was a very big over that took the momentum in South Africa’s favor.”

Pathan further elaborated: “When something like this happens, the management loses confidence in that bowler. Arshdeep becomes very crucial in that.” This suggests that Hardik’s poor form has led to a loss of trust from team management.

The Spin on Kuldeep’s Absence

Kuldeep Yadav, known for his wicket-taking abilities, is notably absent from India’s playing XI. Pathan believes this is due to Hardik Pandya’s poor form and the need for a reliable spinner in the middle overs.

Pathan said: “Playing Arshdeep is very important. If Hardik was bowling well in the death overs, you’d think that he would bowl with the new ball and at the back end as well.”

This strategy highlights the importance of a balanced team setup where different players excel in specific roles.

Axar Patel’s Comeback Call

Pathan also suggested that India must seriously consider bringing back Axar Patel over Washington Sundar. The former all-rounder highlighted Axar’s control, especially against left-handed batters, and his batting abilities.

“Axar is such a bowler who doesn’t give room at all to left-handed batters,” Pathan emphasized. “His batting is massively underrated. He plays crucial innings when needed.”

This recommendation comes as Sanju Samson and Axar Patel are expected to return for the virtual eliminator against Zimbabwe on Thursday in Chennai.

Conclusion

The Pressure Mounts

The pressure is clearly mounting on India’s team management. With key matches ahead, every player’s form matters. Hardik Pandya will need a strong performance if he hopes to maintain his place in the XI. Meanwhile, Pathan’s comments reflect the broader concerns about team strategy and player selection.