"The sooner it happens, the better it is" - Irfan Pathan suggests stunning rule change ahead of AUS vs IND 2025 4th T20I

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has proposed an interesting rule change for T20 cricket. The cricketer-turned-commentator's suggestion came after India's five-wicket win over Australia at Bellerive Oval, Hobart, on Sunday, in the third T20I of the ongoing five-match series.

Australia's swashbuckling batter Tim David struck a massive 129m six off left-arm spinner Axar Patel's bowling in the clash. Irfan reckoned that a batter should get eight or 10 runs for a six longer than 100 meters.

The 41-year-old emphasized that the rule change was very important in the context of T20 cricket. Speaking in his latest YouTube video, he remarked:

At 1:23, "Tim David was in the limelight for hitting a 129m six to Axar Patel. Kevin Pietersen has said it for many years, and even I have been saying it that if a batter hits a six longer than 100 meters, he should get eight runs. Now you decide eight, 10, or whatever it is. But this change is very important.

"There have always been changes, be it with the powerplay, the red ball, the new ball, or reducing the 60-over ODI to 50 overs. Then there came T20 cricket, and we have also seen T10 cricket, which I've played too. So, we have seen the invention of new rules in cricket."

Ifran mentioned that the value of power-hitters would rise significantly once the rule is implemented. He added:

At 2:24, "A batter getting eight or 10 runs for a six longer than 100 meters is bound to happen. This change is bound to happen either now or in the future. The sooner it happens, the better it is. It should definitely happen in T20s. When that happens, the value of power-hitters will increase even more."

David's blistering 74-run knock off 38 balls helped Australia finish on 186/6 in 20 overs. However, his half-century went in vain as the Men in Blue chased the target in 18.3 overs. Washington Sundar was the top performer with the bat, remaining unbeaten on 49 from 23 deliveries.

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh was named the Player of the Match for his impactful spell of 4-0-35-3. The series currently stands at 1-1 with two games to go. The fourth T20I will be played at Carrara Oval, Queensland, on Thursday, November 6.

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"It will be more beneficial for India" - Irfan Pathan on Australia releasing Josh Hazlewood and Travis Head from their squad for AUS vs IND 2025 T20Is

Irfan Pathan believes the absence of Australia's senior players Josh Hazlewood and Travis Head has given India a big advantage. Hazlewood was part of the squad for the first two T20Is, while Head was released from the lineup after the third fixture.

The two players left the squad to play in the Sheffield Shield ahead of the upcoming Ashes Test series against England. Commenting on Australia being without Hazlewood and Head for the last two T20Is, Irfan said in the same video:

At 0:45, "Now that Australia will be without these two main players, it will be more beneficial for India, as they already have the momentum on their side after the last match. We saw in the last match how our batters played freely due to the absence of Hazlewood. Playing without an experienced bowler makes a big difference for any team, and Hazlewood brings that experience."

Hazlewood bowled an exceptional spell in the second T20I. He conceded just 13 runs from his four overs and claimed three crucial wickets.