T20 World Cup 2026: 'Gautam Gambhir would have made the batters listen to the truth' - Irfan Pathan on how the coach may have reacted after USA game

India were in a spot of bother while batting against the USA in their opening match of the T20 World Cup. They were reeling at 77/6 in the 13th over but Suryakumar Yadav played a captain's knock to help them set a target of 162. In the end, the defending champions won by 29 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that while head coach Gautam Gambhir may not have spoken about the disappointing batting performance during the team dinner at his residence in Delhi, he would have surely addressed the matter in the dressing room.

"I have heard those words, 'Do you want to hear the truth?' You will expect that from Gautam for sure. He won't speak much about cricket at home. When you invite the team home and sit together and have dinner, you want to keep a slightly soft atmosphere," the former all-rounder responded during an interaction on JioHotsar when asked whether Gambhir would have made the Indian batters hear the truth.

"However, on the ground, the way the batters performed against USA, Gautam would have definitely used those words in the dressing room, and he would have made the batters listen to the truth," he added.

Pathan, however, believes that his former India teammate may not have been too critical of the batters after a rare blip.

"However, it's the first match. The team is coming after playing excellent cricket. So you don't want to go into too much detail. As it's said, too much analysis leads to paralysis. So I am sure Gautam wouldn't have done that. You let one match go," he observed.

If Bumrah comes, a fast bowler will go out: Irfan Pathan on India's possible changes for game against Namibia

The Men in Blue will return to action on Thursday, February 12, when they take on Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Pathan opined that if Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the first game, comes into the side, one of the pacers will have to make way. Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj were the two specialist seamers who played the game against the USA and they took five wickets in total.

"My eyes are already on the match on the 15th. Considering that, can the same team play against Namibia? There will be changes. If Bumrah comes, a fast bowler will go out. Considering where you are playing against Pakistan, will you want to go towards one more spinner?" he replied.

Pathan said that India should look to play the same XI which they are planning to field in their subsequent game against Pakistan on February 15.

"If you want to do that, do you want to play one more spinner against Namibia? That one thing would definitely be there in the Indian team's thought process. It will be interesting to see what they do. I will definitely want them to play the XI that will play against Pakistan," Pathan observed.

While Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel were the two spinners who played the first game, the 15-member squad also comprises Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar.