T20 World Cup 2026: ‘His one over against Hetmyer will be important’ – Irfan Pathan’s massive claim on India star ahead of IND vs WI tie

Shimron Hetmyer has been the in-form batter for the West Indies in the ongoing T20 World Cup, and Irfan Pathan believes that it will be imperative for India to get the southpaw out as soon as possible in Sunday’s crucial Super 8 clash at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Pathan opined that Jasprit Bumrah’s battle with Hetmyer would be important for both sides as they look to clinch the one remaining semi-final spot. If Bumrah fails to get Hetmyer, Pathan wondered whether Suryakumar Yadav would instantly bring on Varun Chakaravarthy, India’s leading wicket-taker in the tournament, into the attack.

“How does the team plan Jasprit Bumrah’s four overs? His one over against Shimron Hetmyer will be very important. If Bumrah is unable to dismiss Hetmyer, would you bring Varun Chakaravarthy from the other end to bowl to him? Hetmyer has already hit 17 sixes and is in tremendous form. Batting at number three, he has changed the game and keeps playing his shots consistently,” Pathan said while speaking in a YouTube video.

“Against South Africa, he was dismissed while attempting a pull shot to a hard-length delivery. So what plan are you bringing against him now? Will you bowl outside the off-stump? He prefers to play on the leg side, so will you take the ball away from the stumps and bowl it outside off? That could definitely be one strategy. It’s something that needs careful attention. And if he does hit one on the leg side, then how will the field be set? What kind of variation in pace will be used? Bumrah’s slower one will also be very important against Shimron Hetmyer,” he added.

All the left-handed batters in the Indian team should be mentally prepared to play aggressive cricket against Motie: Pathan

Gudakesh Motie has impressed fans with his versatility, bowling left-arm orthodox to right-handers and left-arm wrist spin to left-handers. However, Pathan urged the Indian left-handers to take on Motie as his wrist spin isn’t as controlled as his finger spin.

“All the left-handed batters in the Indian team should be mentally prepared to play aggressive cricket against Motie. That would be my advice to them. The reason is this. What does Motie do? When right-handed batters come in, he uses finger spin and takes the ball away from them. But as soon as a left-handed batter comes in, Motie switches to wrist spin,” Pathan said.

“However, there is one key difference. When he bowls finger spin to right-handers, he has a lot of control. But against left-handers, whenever he bowls wrist spin, and he almost always does, he does not have the same control,” he added.