[Watch] IND vs SA 2025: Irfan Pathan correctly predicts Stubbs and Ferreira’s dismissals in Cuttack T20I

Irfan Pathan (Photo Source: Irfan Pathan/Youtube)

Irfan Pathan has, time and again, amazed the cricket fraternity with his accurate forecasts during commentary. While some might call it luck, there is no denying the fact that the former Indian all-rounder’s excellent knowledge and understanding of the game help him.

On Tuesday, December 9, during the first T20I between India and South Africa at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, Pathan correctly forecasted the dismissals of Tristan Stubbs and Donovan Ferreira.

Chasing a challenging target of 176 on a spicy wicket, the Proteas lost the wicket of Quinton de Kock in the first over. Stubbs looked in good touch as he hit a couple of boundaries in his first eight deliveries. However, just ahead of his dismissal, Pathan had opined that the Indian bowlers should look to cramp him up by bowling on the middle and leg-stump.

Immediately after this assessment, Arshdeep Singh bowled a beautiful delivery, which pitched around the off-stump and jagged back in to take Stubbs’ inside edge. The ball hit the batter’s elbow before settling into wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma’s mitts.

Later in the match, Pathan mentioned how Donovan Ferreira excels against the pacers but struggles to handle spin. Varun Chakaravarthy went on to dismiss the right-handed batter soon after this estimation from the T20 World Cup winner. The Indian mystery spinner fired a delivery outside off-stump, and Stubbs went for a cut. However, he was late on his shot and got an outside edge, which was expertly taken by Jitesh.

Take a look at the video below:

India registered a comprehensive victory in the first T20I, winning by 101 runs. The Proteas were bowled out for just 74 in 12.3 overs. Arshdeep, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Axar Patel bagged two wickets each. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Earlier in the match, most of the Indian batters struggled to find their timing on the challenging surface. However, Hardik played a blinder of an innings, smashing an unbeaten 59 off 28 balls. He was adjudged Player of the Match for his fantastic display of batting.