Hardik Pandya is capable of managing pressure and taking the game into a winning position: Anil Kumble

Former Indian spinner and commentator Anil Kumble has revealed the Indian team’s scenarios for advancing to the semi-final in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. Notably, his comments came right after their 76-run defeat to South Africa in Ahmedabad.

Speaking exclusively on Star Sports, Kumble asserted that the Indian team would be closely watching the game between South Africa and the West Indies in Ahmedabad. Notably, India’s chances of qualifying for the semi-final depend largely on the game between South Africa and the West Indies.

"India will certainly be having a close eye on the South Africa-West Indies game because if the West Indies do win that game, then India will not only have to beat Zimbabwe, but they will have to beat them with net run rate in mind. If South Africa beat the West Indies, then it's a sort of a straight win and then you need to win against the West Indies. So that's the sort of equation for India. Forget about the net run rate, I think India will have to certainly bring their A game," Anil Kumble said on Star Sports.

Additionally, Kumble also added that the Men In Blue should’ve gone with Hardik Pandya at No.5 when they lost three quick wickets instead of Washington Sundar against the Proteas. Notably, Pandya came out to bat lower down the order at No.7, raising eyebrows. Later, he reckoned that Axar Patel’s inclusion would be important against Zimbabwe.

"I felt tactically they were a bit off against South Africa. God forbid, if India gets into the same position as to how they started off against South Africa, with 20/3 or 30/3, I would like to see Hardik Pandya walk in there at that point rather than somebody else as a stopgap to take the pressure off. Hardik Pandya is capable of managing that pressure and also taking the game into a winning position," he added.

"Maybe against Zimbabwe, you will have to go back to Axar Patel. You will have to bring him back into the side. If Washi misses out, he misses out, and then Axar Patel comes back in," Kumble concluded.

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