T20 World Cup 2026: Indian spinner rates Tristan Stubbs over Hardik Pandya as finisher ahead of IND vs SA Super 8 clash

Ahead of the blockbuster Super-8 encounter between India and South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026, former Team India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal made a bold statement by rating Tristan Stubbs as a better finisher than Hardik Pandya.

Chahal backed the South African youngster when asked to compare the two finishers before the high-voltage clash in Ahmedabad on February 22. 

Both teams enter the contest on the back of dominant group-stage campaigns, having won all four of their matches. Hardik Pandya has played a couple of important cameos for India in the lower middle order. The all-rounder accumulated 87 runs in the group stage at an average of 21.75, striking at an impressive 155.35. His ability to accelerate in the death overs has once again proven valuable for the Men in Blue.

However, Stubbs has been remarkably consistent for the Proteas so far. The right-hander has been dismissed only once in the tournament, scoring 41 runs at a strike rate of 146.42. While the numbers may not appear staggering, his impact has been significant, particularly in pressure situations.

Notably, Stubbs smashed a couple of crucial sixes during South Africa’s dramatic double Super Over victory over Afghanistan, showcasing his composure and power under extreme pressure.

Watch the clip here-

With two in-form sides locking horns in the Super 8s, the battle between the finishers could well play a decisive role in what promises to be a thrilling contest.

In the same conversation, the experts were asked one more question regarding Team India’s batting order. One of those was whether Shivam Dube should bat above Pandya. Both Chahal and Sanjay Bangar disagreed with it.

India have been dominating throughout the tournament, managing to win all their four matches in the group-stages. In Super 8, they are scheduled to face South Africa, Zimbabwe and West Indies.