Jasprit Bumrah snubbed as Irfan Pathan names India’s X-factor for T20 World Cup 2026

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 his ability to operate as a 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 return to international cricket in the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa, which begins on December 9 at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.

Irfan Pathan Picks Hardik Pandya as India’s X-Factor for the T20 World Cup

Irfan Pathan said that Hardik Pandya will be the X-factor for India in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Pathan added that Hardik, along with the additional finisher in the lower order, could determine whether India are able to lift the trophy again.

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“Hardik Pandya’s role will be the most crucial for India in T20s and at the World Cup. Him and the second finisher playing alongside him will be the biggest influencers in whether India lift the trophy again,” Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

The 32-year-old all-rounder brings vast 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 best bowling figures of 4 for 16.

Irfan Pathan Opens Up on Rinku Singh’s Omission from South Africa T20Is

Irfan Pathan also spoke about Rinku Singh’s omission from India’s T20I squad for the South Africa series. Pathan said the decision was disappointing but not surprising, adding that India are likely to take most of the current group into the 2026 T20 World Cup.

“Hardik Pandya is back so Rinku Singh is out. It’s unfortunate but expected. This group is 90–95 percent of the squad India will take to the 2026 T20 World Cup,” Pathan added.

Shubman Gill Returns for South Africa T20Is, Subject to Fitness Clearance

Rinku Singh missed out on the T20I squad because Hardik Pandya returned to the team. With Hardik's return as a finisher and all-rounder, it became difficult to find a place for Rinku, who has done well whenever he got a chance.

Rinku had recently made headlines for hitting the winning runs in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan. He was also part of the T20I squad in Australia, but he did not get to bat in the only match he was selected for due to rain in Brisbane.

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 he recovered from a neck injury. The team enters the South Africa T20Is in excellent form, having won 13 of their 15 T20 matches this year.

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