"This bowling combination looks good for the World Cup" - Former batter's huge claim after Team India's win in IND vs SA 2025 3rd T20I

Former batter Mohammad Kaif has opened up on Team India's combination after a commanding seven-wicket win over South Africa in the third T20I in Dharamsala on Sunday, December 14. Kaif reckoned the bowling combination for the third T20I is the one the Asian Giants should stick to for the 2026 T20 World Cup as well.

With Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of the third match, Harshit Rana made his opportunity count by taking two wickets in the powerplay. Kuldeep Yadav, who replaced Axar Patel, also took a couple of scalps, as the hosts bowled out the Proteas for 117. Varun Chakaravarthy, Hardik Pandya, and Shivam Dube were also among the wickets. India chased down the target in 15.5 overs with seven wickets to spare.

Speaking in a recent video uploaded on his YouTube channel 'Mohammad Kaif,' the 44-year-old observed that Dube's stature as a bowler is growing and praised him for not bowling defensively. Kaif argued that Kuldeep and Varun playing together increases the defending champions' chances of retaining their title, as the duo doesn't depend on conditions to make an impact.

"The bowling we saw in the third T20I was combination bowling. Although Shivam Dube has not reached Hardik Pandya’s level of bowling, he is getting better. The wicket ball Dube bowled, he bowled by reading the pitch. Dube usually bowls back of length but the pitch had swing and he clattered the stumps. He thought not to bowl defensively and bowled fuller to take wickets," Kaif said.

"His potential is also growing as a bowler and these are good signs that India’s sixth bowler is also taking wickets. Dube bowled three overs in the game. This bowling combination looks good for the World Cup. Kuldeep and Varun must play together because India can produce flat pitches; hence, the ball won’t spin a lot," he added.

Kaif continued:

"Hence, these wrist-spinners, who can generate bounce, have that wicket-taking abilities. If these two can find a place in the eleven, chances of India winning the World Cup will be higher because they are wicket-takers. It’s conditions applied with Axar Patel. You can’t bowl him against a left-hander. But Kuldeep and Varun can get anybody out – whether it’s De Kock or Aiden Markram."

The third game in Dharamsala saw Chakaravarthy complete 50 T20I wickets, as he bagged outstanding figures of 4-0-11-2, proving himself to be the most economical Indian bowler on the night.

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"The match was set up by the bowlers" - Mohammad Kaif hails India's bowling

Mohammad Kaif. (Image Credits: Mohammad Kaif X)

In the same video, Kaif reserved huge praise for Harshit Rana, who he feels is getting better and better in white-ball cricket, especially by bowling at a higher pace. Reflecting on India's exploits in the powerplay, Kaif elaborated:

"They bowled exceptionally well. We have spoken about line and length so much. Arshdeep Singh’s strength is swing bowling. He bowled a lot fuller in the third T20I. Harshit Rana bowled well too and he is getting better in white-ball cricket. He also bowls at a higher pace. The match was set up by the bowlers."

"South Africa’s first four batters were at the dugout in the first seven overs; hence, India had a stranglehold over there. Rana and Arshdeep set up the match by bowling three overs each with the first ball. The in-form Quiton de Kock was dismissed early on," he added.

With only 118 to chase down, Abhishek Sharma set the tone with an 18-ball 35, as the Men in Blue went 2-1 up in the five-match series.