Irfan Pathan suggests an option to tackle rampant Glenn Phillips in 5th NZ vs IND 2026 T20I

Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan reckons that India can try out Kuldeep Yadav to tackle the Glenn Phillips threat in the fifth T20I against New Zealand in Hamilton. Irfan explained that Kuldeep has the ability to take the ball away from the right-hander from the stumps and hence could induce a false stroke.

Even as New Zealand are 3-1 down in the five-match T20I series, Phillips has been in sensational form for the hosts. In four innings, he has smashed 276 runs at an average of 92 and a strike rate of 189.04. The right-handed batter was named Player of the Match for his 49-ball 107 in Auckland, which featured six fours and 10 sixes.

During a discussion on Cricinfo, Irfan backed Kuldeep to feature in the playing XI in the fifth T20I against New Zealand in Hamilton on Sunday, November 1. He added that India can also think of playing Varun Chakravarthy by doing away with the eighth batter. Irfan commented:

“I would like to see Kuldeep Yadav taking the ball away from Glenn Phillips from the stumps. There will be very interesting battles. Personally, I would want to see both of them. But can both of them fit in the playing XI as far as the combination is concerned? Maybe India will say, we will only have seven batters because it’s a good pitch and we can have both the spinners as well in the game. Giving them an opportunity in the last game, when we have won the series, it will be the right thing to do.”

Neither Kuldeep nor Varun have played a single match in the T20I series so far, with India preferring the all-round option of Axar Patel.

“Won’t be surprised if Vaibhav gets an opportunity” – Irfan Pathan

While discussing India‘s batting order for the Hamilton clash, Irfan backed Ishan Kishan to retain his place in the playing XI ahead of Vaibhav Suryavanshi. He, however, added that he wouldn’t be surprised if Suryavanshi ended up getting picked. He commented:

“If Ishan Kishan would have played all the games without any injury, I would have said, okay, let’s play Vaibhav Suryavanshi. But how is Ishan Kishan feeling about his fitness? He has been a consistent performer. Do you tell Sanju Samson to sit out? Sanju might be feeling, why do I always get trapped? It will be a tough one, but I won’t be surprised if Vaibhav gets an opportunity.”

Returning to the playing after missing two matches due to injury, Kishan was dismissed for a three-ball duck in Auckland on Friday.

Edited by Renin Wilben Albert