'It’s not as if they are Malcolm Marshall': Shoaib Akhtar slams Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube after India's poor show
Times of India
by TOI SPORTS DESKFebruary 24, 2026
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Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has harshly criticized India’s bowling attack following their 76-run defeat to South Africa in the T20 World Cup Super 8 match. Akhtar was particularly critical of Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, who combined to concede 67 runs in just six overs while taking only one wicket. He argued that their lack of pace and intimidating delivery made them ineffective in the death overs against a strong South African batting line-up, which led to an inevitable counterattack.
Akhtar also pointed out weaknesses in India’s overall bowling strategy. He highlighted Varun Chakaravarthy’s expensive spell, noting that his reduced pace allowed Dewald Brevis to hit a no-look six. Similarly, he suggested that Washington Sundar and Varun offered similar skills, making India’s attack predictable and easier for top teams to target. Akhtar emphasized the need for unpredictability in bowling to counter powerful batting line-ups like South Africa’s.
In his critique, Akhtar called for the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav as a “missing link” to strengthen India’s bowling. He praised Kuldeep’s ability to deceive batters and take crucial wickets at key moments, which he believes would make the attack more effective against top-tier opposition. Akhtar’s comments underscore the challenges faced by India
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/24/2026