Suryakumar Yadav has given a big hint that Hardik Pandya’s new role with the ball may not be temporary. His words before the South Africa T20I series point to a more permanent, new-ball job for India’s star all-rounder. Hardik as new-ball bowler: why India like this role

During the Asia Cup 2025, Hardik Pandya opened the bowling for India and delivered important new-ball spells that impressed the team management. Suryakumar Yadav said that Hardik bowling with the new ball “opened a lot of options” and combinations for India, especially in terms of the playing XI. With Hardik taking one of the powerplay overs, India can afford to pick three – even four – spinners in some conditions, while still having enough pace options.

This setup gives India a very flexible attack: Hardik plus one specialist quick, backed by multiple spinners, or Hardik as third seamer alongside two frontline pacers. His experience in big ICC games and his ability to handle pressure at the start and end of an innings makes him ideal for such a dual role.

Balance and depth ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup

Hardik’s return to full fitness after his quadriceps injury has come at the right time for India. Before the South Africa series, he showed good rhythm with both bat and ball in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which reassured the management. Suryakumar made it clear that a fully fit Hardik gives the side the balance it wants going into the home T20 World Cup in February 2026.

India see this five-match South Africa series as the start of a 10-game run-in to the World Cup, but Surya revealed that their planning actually began right after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup. Since then, they have tried new ideas, like Hardik opening the bowling, and stuck with combinations that work instead of over-experimenting.

Clear selection template: continuity with flexibility

Suryakumar stressed that India have deliberately kept the core of the T20I side stable over the last five to six series. The idea is simple: avoid unnecessary changes, trust the players, and fine-tune roles rather than reshuffle the XI every series. Within that, flexibility is non-negotiable for the batters from No. 3 to No. 7.

On Sanju Samson, Surya said that although he started his T20 career batting higher up, everyone other than the openers must be ready to move around the order. He praised Samson’s willingness to bat at any position. On the Rinku Singh question amid Shivam Dube’s rise, he pointed out that Dube and Hardik are all-rounders, so they fall into a different category, and that all batters from 3 to 7 should be comfortable slotting in wherever the team needs them.

Simple plans for South Africa series

For the South Africa T20Is, Surya kept the messaging straightforward: keep doing what has been working. India do not want to tinker too much with combinations or roles, especially when results and performances have been strong. Hardik opening the bowling, a stable top order, and a flexible middle order all fit into that broader plan.

He also touched on local conditions in Cuttack, noting that the red-soil pitch at Barabati Stadium is being used for the first time and will be assessed closer to the match. On a lighter note, when asked about dew and toss luck, Surya laughed while recalling KL Rahul’s “left-hand” coin flip that broke India’s long streak of losing tosses in ODIs, adding that he too flips the coin with his left hand.