Indian players have been selected for the ODI series and Test match against Afghanistan on Tuesday, 19 May 2026. After this selection, discussions have intensified on social media. A legendary player, Aaqib Nabi’s name was not in the list. On this, former all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed his deep displeasure through social media for not giving importance to the performance of Ranji Trophy, the biggest tournament of domestic cricket.

Selectors ignored Aaqib Nabi

India’s only test match is against Afghanistan. In this, potentially, opportunities should be given to those players who have played an important role on the cricket field. At present, after the announcement of the Indian team, a new controversy has arisen. The name of Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Aaqib Nabi, who took the most wickets in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, is not in the team. Gurnoor Brar, who has not played a single match since January, has been included in the team. Irfan Pathan looked quite unhappy with this decision.

Vented anger by posting on social media

Due to not being selected in the team, Irfan Pathan got angry at the selectors by posting on social media platform X. Giving an advice to the selectors, he wrote, ‘Do not discourage the excellent performance of Ranji Trophy.’ Actually, there were speculations that Aaqib Nabi would get a chance to fill the vacancy left after star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was given rest.

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Took 60 wickets in 10 matches

Aaqib Nabi bowled brilliantly in this season of Ranji and took a total of 60 wickets in 10 matches with an excellent economy of 2.65. Aqib took 5 wickets while playing the final match against Karnataka and played an important role in winning Jammu and Kashmir its first Ranji title and won the title of Player of the Tournament. On the other hand, Punjab fast bowler Gurnoor Brar has been selected not only in the Test team but also for the three-match ODI series starting from June 14.

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The Indian Premier League has given strong batsmen to the cricket world, but Vaibhav Suryavanshi seems to be special among them. At the age of only 15, he did not spare even the legendary bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. His inning of 78 runs in 26 balls against RCB has given a new dimension to T20 cricket. This innings of his has shocked even the big giants. Virender Sehwag said that there is a madness in Vaibhav’s batting.

Reaction of former cricketers on Vaibhav’s batting

Virender Sehwag used to be the most feared batsman of his time. On Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s batting, he said that there are not many players who create such excitement in the cricket world at the age of just 15. He said that there is a special method to Vaibhav’s madness and fearlessness and for him the sky seems to be the last limit. Whereas Ravichandran Ashwin gave a new name to Vaibhav and called him ‘Vaiball Suryavanshi’.

Not many can provide this kind of excitement at this age, whether he does it at 15 is another matter. There is a method to his madness, fearlessness and sky is the limit for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi pic.twitter.com/f6WtDLitO9

— Virrender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 10, 2026

Big bowlers are scared

While discussing the Star Sports show, Irfan Pathan said that even big bowlers are scared of Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Irfan said that in his life he has never seen any 15-year-old player batting so fast and targeting big bowlers. Irfan said that he is just a 15 year old kid and it is unbelievable to see him doing this. He has also given the theory that Vaibhav’s mindset may be such that he will target only big bowlers.

On the other hand, Harbhajan Singh said that Josh Hazlewood might have come thinking that he is one of the top bowlers of Australia, but Vaibhav did not spare him too and scored 19 runs in his over.

feels like a video game

Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif said that Vaibhav Suryavanshi plays cricket as if it is a video game. He said that seeing a 15 year old player, T20 batting has never seemed so easy. He has scored boundaries on the first ball of star bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood and Jasprit Bumrah.

Never has a 15-year-old made T20 batting look so easy. The bowlers he has hit for a boundary on their first ball include Bumrah, Hazelwood, Bhuvi – all big stars. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi plays cricket like it is a video game.

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 10, 2026

This is insane!

This is Vaiball Suryanvanshi.

Let’s vibe with this fella#ipl2026 pic.twitter.com/nSeNnJiLBa

— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) April 10, 2026

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Irfan Pathan believes that Vaibhav Suryavanshi comes thinking that he has to attack the biggest bowler of the opposing team, no matter how good the ball is. The former cricketer said that I have a theory about Vaibhav, he deliberately targets the biggest bowler. Big bowlers are afraid to bowl in front of him. Pathan also compared him with his 9 year old son.

In the video released by Star Sports, Irfan Pathan said, “I cannot understand that he hits even a good ball, he hits even when there is a big bowler in front. But I have a theory, I think this 15 year old guy (Vaibhav Suryavanshi) does this deliberately. I think he deliberately targets the big bowler. He thinks, okay, you are an experienced and big bowler, let him target you only.” Yes. This is my theory.”

Then Harbhajan Singh, sitting with him, says jokingly, “Tell any big bowler to target him.” Bhajji also says that this guy is amazing.

I haven’t seen that

Irfan Pathan further said, “I have never seen anything like this, I have never seen anyone like this at the age of 15. When we see this, it feels like we too have children. I have a 9 year old son.” Then Bhajji says, “Josh Hazlewood came, he thought I was such a strong bowler. Today Vaibhav got caught, he lost an over of 19 runs.”

I don’t look at the bowler- Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Vaibhav played an explosive inning of 78 runs in 26 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore, in which he hit 7 sixes and 8 fours. After the match, Vaibhav said about his aggressive batting style against big bowlers that when he plays, he does not look at who the bowler is.

Irfan Pathan Reveals Who Is The Best IPL Team: Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has recently given a statement regarding the best team of IPL. He believes that in the debate of ‘best team’, Mumbai Indians have the upper hand over Chennai Super Kings. After this Irfan said that this debate will always continue and it is also a legitimate debate. Talking about both the teams, he said that even though Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have won 5-5 IPL titles, Mumbai Indians have given many match-winning players to India.

Why is Mumbai Indians better than Chennai Super Kings?

Irfan Pathan while talking to Geostar said, ‘Choosing one between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians as the best team of IPL has always been a subject of debate. Chennai started winning IPL titles from the year 2010. They became the first team to do so by winning two consecutive titles in 2010 and 2011. However, when Mumbai Indians started winning from the year 2013, they kept winning the title every other year. Then he was also successful in winning the IPL trophy twice in a row in the year 2019 and 2020.

The debate about the best team will always go on

Pathan further said, ‘Chennai Super Kings does not have 4 Indian captains, whereas Mumbai Indians have them. In this sense, that is, in terms of building a team and contributing to a bigger cause, I think Mumbai Indians is the best team in the IPL. I know that Chennai Super Kings will always say that they are also the best because they have also won 5 trophies. There is no doubt about it. This debate will continue forever and it is also a legitimate debate. However, I feel that Mumbai Indians have the upper hand because they have given many match-winners to Indian cricket. He said- What I like most about Mumbai Indians is their important contribution to Indian cricket. The number of match-winning players he has given to the Indian team is really praiseworthy.

Irfan Pathan on Vaibhav Suryavanshi: Vaibhav Suryavanshi made his IPL debut in the year 2025. In the very first season, he batted at a strike rate of 200+ and scored runs at a good average of 36. Now there will be pressure on him to maintain his form in IPL 2026. He is also performing well in the Rising Stars Asia Cup and Under-19 T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, former cricketer Irfan Pathan has warned 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, while playing for Rajasthan Royals last season, scored a century in 35 balls, which is the fastest century by an Indian in the Indian Premier League. Irfan Pathan says that performing well consistently and adapting to difficult situations will be the biggest challenge for Vaibhav in IPL 2026.

Irfan Pathan said that Vaibhav Suryavanshi has played a lot of cricket in the last one year. He has played in Ranji Trophy, Under-19 Cricket World Cup and has scored runs in other tournaments as well. In such a situation, the opposition teams will be examining their game and finding their weaknesses. For this reason, Vaibhav will have to improve his game and remove his weaknesses.

Vaibhav got warning

Irfan Pathan said, “He is scoring centuries easily in every format of cricket. When you do this continuously, your confidence increases. In this IPL season, all the bowlers will come with different strategies and Vaibhav will come out to prove himself. When Vaibhav is able to score runs continuously in this season, then we will be able to say that Vaibhav has really improved his game.”

Vaibhav Suryavanshi had scored 252 runs in seven matches in IPL 2025 and his strike rate was 206.5. In the Under-19 World Cup, he played a historic inning of 175 runs in 80 balls and scored 439 runs in the entire tournament by playing 7 matches.

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Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has given special advice to Mumbai Indians. He says that Mumbai team should make full use of Rohit Sharma, so that the team can get more benefits. In IPL 2025, MI had used Rohit Sharma as an impact player, but Irfan refuted that strategy and said that Mumbai should take full advantage of Rohit’s leadership skills, for which it is very important for him to come on the field for fielding.

On his YouTube channel, Irfan Pathan said that Rohit Sharma’s mindset is a very important link and it remains to be seen how Mumbai Indians take advantage of it. Irfan said that last year MI had fielded Rohit very well as an impact player, but according to Irfan, it is very important for him to come on the field for fielding, so that he can help the captain. Because Rohit’s mind always thinks like a leader.

Irfan Pathan further said, “MI will use him as an impact player. But when you have a successful captain, who has won trophies many times, you should take full advantage of him. Put him on the field and take full advantage of his leadership skills.”

Rohit Sharma has looked in good touch in the last 2 seasons. In IPL 2025, he scored 418 runs in 15 matches and scored 4 half-centuries in the entire season. Rohit is only the second batsman in the history of IPL to cross the mark of 7000 runs. Before him, Virat Kohli has done this, who has also crossed 8,000 runs. Rohit has so far scored 7046 runs in 272 IPL matches.

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Before the start of IPL 2026, a big statement has come out regarding Chennai Super Kings. Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has chosen his favorite playing combination of CSK. The surprising thing in this was that he did not give place to Mahendra Singh Dhoni even in the team of 12 players. This suggestion has sparked a new debate among fans.

Irfan Pathan believes that now Dhoni’s role may be less important on the field and more important as a guide within the team. According to him, in the last few seasons, Dhoni has mostly been coming to bat in the last one or two overs. This definitely gives fans a chance to see his exciting style, but in terms of the team’s strategy, it cannot be considered a big contribution in every match.

Dhoni can be seen in the role of mentor

Pathan believes that 44 year old Dhoni should now focus on strengthening the CSK team. He says that CSK now has young and future leaders, who need to be groomed. In this context, he has also considered the names of players like Rituraj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson, who recently joined the team, important.

According to Irfan, if Dhoni plays in every match then it becomes difficult for some other players to make space. He specifically mentioned Sarfaraz Khan and said that he can leave a big impact at number 6. In such a situation, the team should take decisions keeping the future in mind.

Irfan Pathan’s chosen best team of CSK

In the best 12 players selected by Irfan Pathan for CSK, Sanju Samson and Ayush Mhatre have been kept as openers. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is at number three. After this, Shivam Dubey and Dewald Brevis have been given place in the middle order. Sarfaraz Khan has been placed at number-6, while Karthik Sharma and Prashant Veer have been included as all-round options. Akil Hussain, Noor Ahmed and Matt Henry have got place in bowling. Whereas Khalil Ahmed has been selected as an impact player.

Irfan Pathan’s team

Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dubey, Dewald Brewis, Sarfaraz Khan, Karthik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Akil Hussain, Noor Ahmed, Matt Henry, Khalil Ahmed (Impact Player).

Most Maiden Overs in IPL: In recent years, some such figures have come to light, which prove that the time is not far when 300 runs will be scored in a single innings in the Indian Premier League. In most of the IPL matches, batsmen are seen creating havoc, but here there are such brave bowlers who know how to silence even the batsmen who bat explosively. Such strong bowlers have bowled many maiden overs in the IPL. See here the list of 7 bowlers who have bowled the most maiden overs so far in the history of the Indian Premier League.

2 Indians hold the record for highest number of maidens
The record for bowling the most number of maiden overs in the history of the Indian Premier League is in the name of India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has bowled 14 maiden overs so far. Most of the fast bowlers get beaten badly on the pitches made in IPL, but Bhuvneshwar’s talent is most unique.
At second place is India’s retired ‘King of Swing’ Praveen Kumar, he also bowled 14 maiden overs in his IPL career. Trent Boult is the first foreign bowler in IPL history to bowl 10 or more maiden overs. He has done this 11 times so far. At number four is India’s Irfan Pathan, who bowled 10 maiden overs. The interesting thing is that all the bowlers in the top-4 list have been providing sharp swing.

Jasprit Bumrah is also not behind
Jasprit Bumrah is also not far behind in terms of scoring the most number of maiden overs in IPL history. Dhawal Kulkarni is in fifth place, who has bowled 8 maiden overs. Jasprit Bumrah, Sri Lankan veteran bowler Lasith Malinga and Sandeep Sharma have also bowled 8 maiden overs in their respective IPL careers.

Most maiden overs in IPL
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 14
• Praveen Kumar – 14
• Trent Boult – 11
• Irfan Pathan – 10
• Dhawal Kulkarni – 8
• Jasprit Bumrah – 8
• Lasith Malinga – 8

IPL 2026 is going to start from March 28 and once again the most talked about player is MS Dhoni. Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has given a big statement regarding the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman of Chennai Super Kings. Pathan believes that now the time has come when the new generation in the Chennai team should be given more responsibility, while Dhoni’s experience can act as a guide for the team.

Opportunity for youth to move forward

According to Pathan, now a new generation is gradually being brought forward in Chennai Super Kings. He said that Dhoni has held the responsibility of the team for many years, but now the youth should get a chance to move forward and take charge of the team. Pathan specifically took the names of players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dubey, Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre and said that these players can become a big strength of the team in the future.

Dhoni’s experience will be important

However, Pathan also said that Dhoni’s presence is very important for the team. His experience can teach a lot to young players. He said that as the IPL season comes closer, Dhoni looks fully prepared. Looking at his fitness and preparation, it seems that he can once again play an important role for the team both on the field and in the dressing room.

Start of change in CSK

According to Pathan, there is a change in the thinking of Chennai Super Kings. The team no longer wants to depend only on experienced players, but also wants to give opportunities to young players on the big stage. If the young players play while learning from Dhoni’s experience, then the future of the team can become even stronger.

Pathan, who has also been a part of CSK at one time, further said that on paper this team looks very exciting. He is ready to see the fearlessness of this young CSK team in terms of their ability and intention to hit sixes.

Also gave opinion about KKR team

During this, Pathan also expressed his opinion about the Kolkata Knight Riders team. He said that this season the team may be a little worried about the availability of fast bowlers. He especially described the injury of Mathisha Pathirana and the absence of Harshit Rana as a challenge for the team.

Can get advantage from home ground

Pathan believes that KKR can get the home ground advantage in the initial matches. The team will play most of its initial matches at Eden Gardens, which can help the players and coaching staff in making strategies.

IPL 2026 is starting from March 28, where the first match will be played between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad (RCB vs SRH). But like every time, before the start of the season, MS Dhoni has once again come into discussion. Dhoni has joined the training camp of CSK and is gearing up to play the 19th consecutive season of the Indian Premier League.

Before the start of IPL 2026, former cricketer Irfan Pathan has made a big prediction on the career of MS Dhoni. Pathan says that it is difficult to imagine the Chennai Super Kings team without Dhoni, but according to him, 2026 will be the last season of ‘Thala’.

Dhoni will retire

While discussing a show on JioHotstar, Irfan Pathan said that CSK is incomplete without MS Dhoni and this might be the last season when we will see Dhoni playing in the yellow jersey. This means Dhoni can take retirement after this season. Pathan said that it is difficult to imagine Chennai Super Kings and IPL without Dhoni.

Pathan said that he will try to unite the Chennai team this season. According to the former Indian all-rounder, Dhoni’s presence in the dressing room will be helpful in building a future team and this time Sanju Samson is also a part of the squad and he will also get to learn a lot from Dhoni. Pathan also said that Ruturaj Gaikwad is the captain and at present the priority is to prepare 2-3 players for the future.

Will MS Dhoni not play the entire season?

There were question marks over whether MS Dhoni will play the entire IPL 2026 season or not, but Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Vishwanathan has made it clear that Dhoni will be available for all the matches of the season.

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