Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan is confident about the team's chances of winning the 2026 T20 World Cup. He feels that it is almost an impossible task for any team in the world to defeat the current India side in the shortest format. This statement comes after the Men in Blue defeated New Zealand comprehensively by 8 wickets in the third T20I to take an unassaible 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Pathan on India's batting approach
Pathan stated that the team's batting approach is incredibly strong, pointing out how they went on to score 16 runs in the same over they lost Sanju Samson on the first delivery against New Zealand in the third T20I.
“It seems almost impossible to beat this Indian team. It looks like whoever comes against them will be completely destroyed. That’s the kind of cricket they are playing. The Indian team is playing unreal cricket. And their approach is amazing. It’s an approach that scares the big teams of the world like Australia, South Africa, England and West Indies," Pathan said on his YouTube channel.
In Guwahati, you say it’s 150 runs, right? Even when wickets fall early, like Sanju Samson getting out on the first ball, there’s no change in their approach, and they still manage to score 16 runs in the same over where a wicket was taken. As a bowler, you feel safe after taking a wicket, but there’s no safe zone against the Indian team," he added.
Pathan further said that Suryakumar Yadav & Co's performance in the ongoing series against New Zealand is nothing short of a warning to other teams. He added that there is no room for error against the current Indian team.
“The Indian team is absolutely terrifying the teams that will be playing in the upcoming World Cup, sending a message that they should beware, as there’s no room for error against them," Pathan stated.
India record dominant victory in 3rd T20I
The Indian batters made a mockery of the Kiwi bowling attack in Guwahati on Sunday and reached the 154-run target in just 10 overs. Abhishek Sharma proved to be the star performer, remaining unbeaten on 68 runs from just 20 deliveries while Suryakumar also played a valiant knock of 57. They will be looking to maintain their red-hot form in the fourth T20I of the series that will be held on January 28 at the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.