As India prepares for their upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 match in Colombo, former all-rounder Irfan Pathan has made a bold suggestion about the team’s bowling lineup. He believes India should adjust their strategy to focus more on spin bowling. Pathan argues that the conditions in Colombo necessitate a stronger spin attack, which may involve reshuffling the current bowlers.
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Pathan highlighted that the slow nature of Colombo pitches supports the idea of including three specialist spinners. He believes that along with Varun and Axar, left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav should be included in the playing XI.
The 41-year-old suggested going for a strategy that worked previously during the 2025 Asia Cup, where they played only one frontline pacer and used seam-bowling all-rounders for support. In that setup, Jasprit Bumrah would head the pace attack, with Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube contributing overs.
Pathan noted that India has various all-round options, allowing for experimentation without compromising either the bowling or batting strength.
“In these conditions, India should include one more spinner. You already have Varun and Axar, but Kuldeep Yadav deserves a spot in the playing XI. This means Bumrah plays, supported by Hardik and Shivam Dube for pace. We saw success with this strategy in the Asia Cup, and I think they should go for it,” said Pathan on his YouTube channel.
Difficult decisions for team balance
Pathan acknowledged that leaving out in-form pacers like Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh would be tough, as both have been key performers in recent games.
Nonetheless, he stressed that maintaining team balance and adapting to conditions should come before personal sentiments. He emphasized that adaptability is crucial in high-stakes tournaments like the T20 World Cup.
Pathan pointed out that Hardik has successfully bowled with the new ball before, while Dube has also proven capable of contributing important early overs. With Axar providing stability and Kuldeep offering wicket-taking ability, India could have an advantage in the middle overs.
“It’s unfortunate for Siraj and Arshdeep because of this strategy. But you should expect Hardik to bowl with the new ball, considering you have multiple all-rounders like Axar and Shivam Dube, who can step in. I believe this is the right approach for the team,” added Pathan.
