Anil Kumble has suggested a strategy for the Indian Cricket team if they face batting issues during the 2026 T20 World Cup. He recommends promoting Hardik Pandya in the batting order. India has struggled with batting consistency in the tournament, losing wickets rapidly, as seen in their first five matches. In their match against South Africa, India was in trouble at 26 for 3 and brought in Washington Sundar to stabilize the innings.
This move didn’t work out, as Sundar scored only 11 runs off 11 balls. At his dismissal, the team had slipped to 43 for 4 in 7.2 overs while chasing a target of 188. Kumble highlighted the need for India to trust Hardik Pandya in such situations instead of relying on temporary fixes.
The former coach believes Pandya has the skill and mentality to perform under pressure and could help navigate India to victory.
Kumble stated, “If India finds themselves in a similar situation to the one against South Africa, I’d prefer Hardik Pandya at that critical moment over another temporary solution.” He added, “Pandya has the talent to manage that pressure and drive the game to a win, which is essential when facing teams like Zimbabwe or the West Indies. They need to put forth their best effort.”
Kumble’s viewpoint is valid, noting Pandya’s strong performance while batting at No. 4 and No. 5 for India. While batting at No. 4, Pandya has scored 131 runs in six innings, averaging 43.66 with a strike rate of 238.18.
At No. 5, the 32-year-old has accumulated 1208 runs, averaging over 30 at a strike rate of 154.47.
Kumble also remarked that India has not yet shown their full potential in the tournament, pointing out their missed opportunity against South Africa when they had them at 20 for 3.
“India needs to bring their best game.” He believed their tactics were lacking against South Africa, suggesting that when the opposition is struggling at 20 for 3, it’s crucial to push for dominance.
