Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes that Suryakumar Yadav's decision to feature with many left-handers might become easier for the opposition team to plan as the side have sealed a Super 8 berth in the T20 World Cup 2026. Kaif, who also represented RCB during his playing days, also questioned the team's batting order.
Mohammad Kaif on India's batting order
Kaif is not fully convinced about Hardik Pandya batting at No. 5 and feels the move may not be as simple as it looks. Notably, India entered the Super 8 stage unbeaten. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif pointed out that Hardik does not usually bat at No. 5. He also said that having too many left-handers in the top order could make India’s strategy easier to read for the opposition.
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“Why is Hardik Pandya coming at number five? Hardik Pandya does not usually bat at number five. In Delhi, he played at number five against Namibia because there were many left-handers. So, due to the left-right combination, he had to move up the order to balance left and right-handers. This is an issue because with so many left-handers, it becomes a bit easier for the opposition team to plan,” Kaif said.
Hardik's performance in T20 World Cup 2026
Hardik has batted at No. 5 in two of India’s four group matches. He scored 52 against Namibia but was dismissed for 0 against Pakistan. Overall, he has scored 87 runs in four matches at an average of 21.75, with a strike rate of 155.35. While those numbers are not outstanding, they show his attacking intent and his ability to score quickly.
Apart from his batting, Hardik has also contributed with the ball, which keeps him important to the team’s balance. His role has changed depending on the situation. In some matches, he has come in early to steady the innings. In others, he has been held back from finishing strongly. This flexibility makes the debate around his No. 5 position more complex than it seems.
Hardik Pandya's all-round show against Netherlands
Against the Netherlands, Hardik showed his all-around value again. He scored a quick 30 off 21 balls along with Shivam Dube to help India reach 193. Later, he picked up one wicket, finishing with figures of 1/40. Even though he conceded 18 runs in the 19th over, India won the match by 17 runs, completing four wins in four group-stage games.
India's upcoming T20 World Cup outing
Team India will now take South Africa in their first Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 which will take place on February 22 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.