Anil Kumble suggests moving Hardik Pandya up the order to address India’s batting woes

If India encounter another batting slump during the2026 T20 World Cup, Anil Kumble has proposed a potential fix. He wants the team management to promote Hardik Pandya in the batting order. India has faced batting woes throughout the tournament, often losing wickets in quick succession, as seen in the first five encounters. During their loss to South Africa, India found themselves in a precarious position at 26 for 3 and opted to send in Washington Sundar to steady the ship.

The experiment backfired as Sundar failed to cope with the mounting pressure, managing just 11 runs off 11 balls. By the time he was sent back to the pavilion, India had plunged to 43 for 4 in 7.2 overs, chasing a daunting target of 188. Speaking to the broadcasters, Kumble emphasized that it’s time for India to place their faith in Hardik Pandya for the role, rather than relying on temporary solutions.

The ex-India coach believes that the all-rounder possesses the temperament and ability to handle pressure, and can steer India towards a winning position.

“God forbid, if India find themselves in a similar situation to how they started against South Africa, I’d prefer to see Hardik Pandya come in at that moment, rather than someone else as a temporary solution to relieve the pressure,” he said.

“Hardik Pandya has the ability to handle that pressure and steer the game towards a winning position. These are key factors India should consider if they find themselves in a similar situation against Zimbabwe or the West Indies. However, they must play their best game,” he added.

Kumble’s argument holds weight, as Hardik Pandya has an impressive record while batting at No. 4 and No. 5 for India. At No. 4, the all-rounder has accumulated 131 runs in six innings, boasting an average of 43.66 and a blistering strike rate of 238.18.

Meanwhile, batting at No. 5, the 32-year-old has racked up 1208 runs, averaging over 30 at an explosive strike rate of 154.47.

Kumble also pointed out that India haven’t showcased their full potential in the tournament, highlighting how they allowed South Africa to recover after reducing them to 20 for 3.

“I believe India will definitely need to bring their A game. They haven’t quite done well in the tournament so far. Tactically, I felt they were a bit off against South Africa. When the opposition is 20 for 3, that’s the moment to go for the kill.”