Irfan Pathan accuses Hardik Pandya of blocking Kuldeep Yadav’s Playing XI spot in T20 World Cup 2026

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has made sensational remarks against Hardik Pandya ahead of India’s must-win T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe on Thursday, February 26, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Irfan Pathan’s big attack on Hardik Pandya before must-win clash at T20 World Cup 2026

Irfan Pathan has blamed Hardik Pandya’s poor form for Kuldeep Yadav’s absence in India’s playing XI in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. After India’s heavy defeat to South Africa in the Super 8 match, many have been questioning Kuldeep’s absence in the starting XI.

India’s batting failed badly against the Proteas bowling attack, but many cricket experts felt the defending champions lacked a proper wicket-taking spinner in the middle overs.

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Ahead of India’s do-or-die clash against Zimbabwe, Pathan believes that the team management has lost faith in Hardik’s bowling, especially in the death overs. Hardik Pandya scored 45 runs in his four wicketless overs against South Africa. His economy rate in the tournament is 8.67.

Pathan blamed Hardik Pandya for Kuldeep Yadav's absence

Irfan Pathan was quoted as saying by News18: “Hardik Pandya tried the yorker just once and went for the hard length for the rest. He got hit for sixes, and it was a very big over that took the momentum in South Africa’s favor. When something like this happens, the management loses confidence in that bowler. Arshdeep becomes very crucial in that.”

Because of this, Pathan said that the team cannot afford to drop the young fast bowler Arshdeep Singh. The commentator further explained, “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. India can go with an extra spinner in that case, as we saw in the Asia Cup.”

He added, “But the pitches are different here. So, you should go with Arshdeep. India would surely think of bringing in Kuldeep, but for that, they would have to leave out Arshdeep, and you don’t have a bowler who can bowl yorkers with Bumrah in the death overs.”

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Axar Patel backed by Pathan over Washington Sundar

Pathan also said India must 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 batters, and can also score valuable runs for the team.

He signed off by saying, “But Axar is such a bowler who doesn’t give room at all to left-handed batters. If the batter is playing the sweep well, he shifts to bowling wide. He bowls very well against left-handed batters as well. His batting is massively underrated. He plays crucial innings when needed.”

However, there are strong hints that Sanju Samson and Axar Patel will return to India’s playing XI for the virtual eliminator against Zimbabwe on Thursday in Chennai. Zimbabwe has been in great form in the group stage, and they will aim for another setback in the T20 World Cup 2026.