New Delhi: Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar slammed India’s bowling plans during their Super Eight clash against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026. India suffered a crushing 76-run defeat in the game, which marked an end to their unbeaten run in the tournament. It was India’s first defeat in 18 matches in ICC tournaments.
While their batting line-up suffered a terrible collapse, India’s bowlers were also taken to the cleaners in the game. Spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, one of India’s best in T20Is, was taken down by David Miller and Dewald Brevis as he ended up finishing with figures of 1/47 in his 4 overs, his third-most expensive figure in T20Is.
The onslaught against Chakaravarthy meant the likes of Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube also found themselves on the receiving end. Hardik ended up with figures of 0/45, while Dube was smashed for 32 runs in just two overs by the Proteas batters. Questioning India’s bowling strategy in the game, Akhtar said Hardik and Dube are no Malcom Marshall.
The former Pakistan pacer questioned India’s decision to bowl the duo in the death and said they were destined to be taken to the cleaners against a quality batting line-up like that of South Africa.
“Hardik and Shivam Dube were bowling at around 120 kmph. It’s not as if they are Malcolm Marshall — someone who would intimidate a batting line-up of South Africa’s calibre. If you deploy them in the death overs, such a counterattack from the Proteas is inevitable,” Akhtar said on Tapmad.
Akhtar also urged India to bring back spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI, calling him a match-winner. The left-arm spinner has played only one game in the tournament so far and has not been able to make the cut due to the team combination. However, Akhtar feels he is the missing link in India’s bowling attack which has been exposed in the tournament.
“India’s bowling has been exposed. If you look at Varun, whose strength is bowling at 97–98 kmph, he was clocking 94. And when he came into the attack, he was struck for a no-look six by Dewald Brevis. The missing link here is Kuldeep Yadav. He is someone who can deceive batters in the air and pick up wickets when needed. He is a proven match-winner,” added Akhtar.