Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has criticised India’s bowling tactics following their 76-run defeat to South Africa in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026.

India’s bowling attack came under pressure after Varun Chakravarthy was taken apart by David Miller and Dewald Brevis. The mystery spinner returned figures of 1 for 47, the third-most expensive spell of his T20 career. With Varun unable to contain the flow of runs, the burden shifted to the fifth and sixth bowling options.

Hardik Pandya (0/45) and Shivam Dube (1/32 in two overs) were entrusted with crucial overs at the death, but both were expensive. Akhtar questioned the decision to rely on medium pace against a powerful South African batting line-up.

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“Hardik and Shivam Dube were bowling at around 120 kmph. It’s not as if they are Malcolm Marshall, who would intimidate a batting line-up like South Africa’s. If you use them in the death overs, such a counterattack is inevitable,” Akhtar said on Tapmad.

He also highlighted the absence of Kuldeep Yadav from the playing XI, calling him the missing link in India’s bowling unit.

“India’s bowling has been exposed. Varun, whose strength is bowling at 97–98 kmph, was clocking 94. And when he came on, Dewald Brevis struck him for a no-look six. The missing link here is Kuldeep Yadav. He can deceive batters in the air and pick up wickets when needed. He is a proven match-winner,” Akhtar added.

Kuldeep has featured in only one match in the tournament so far, against Pakistan, where he returned impressive figures of 1 for 14 in three overs. However, he was left out of the XI for the subsequent games against the Netherlands and South Africa, with Arshdeep Singh preferred.

India now face must-win encounters against Zimbabwe and West Indies in Chennai. With the surface expected to assist spinners, the team management may reconsider their combination. The decision to bench Axar Patel against South Africa and include Washington Sundar has already drawn scrutiny, leaving captain Suryakumar Yadav with key selection calls ahead of the next fixture.