Former England cricketer Stuart Broad has warned his team about Hardik Pandya's confidence and hitting prowess ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal against India. Meanwhile, the tournament has broken viewership records, surpassing 500 million viewers in India alone.
The T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal between India and England is set to take place at Wankhede Stadium. Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad has identified Hardik Pandya as a significant threat to his team. Speaking on the 'For the Love of Cricket' podcast, Broad said, "If I am an England bowler, I think I need to get him in after 12 overs so I can bowl when he’s not in the hitting zone straightaway. He might think I would like to look at a few before going at the end. I would see that as my chance to get him out before he can hurt me in the last four overs. If India are just three or four down entering the death overs, that’s where India get over 200, and you are in a bit of trouble."
Broad added, "If India sets up a good first ten overs, Hardik Pandya becomes a huge danger. When he walks in, he’s extremely confident. He has got an aura about him and an ego on him in a positive way. He just believes he can do the job. He is so wiry and slim that you think how he can hit the ball 100 metres like he does. But he does it so effortlessly."
These comments come amid Pandya's recent form, where he scored a 23-ball half-century against Zimbabwe. Reflecting on his innings, Pandya said, "It sounds strange, 23-ball 50, but I think I had to reassess the situation as well. What I meant by that, I felt I was trying to hit too hard. And just in the game, I realised, I think I can time the ball and hit sixes as well. So I think for me, it was a good game to continue the rhythm because I feel a couple of games I had which I could not do what I wanted to do. So really satisfied."
Additionally, ICC chairman Jay Shah confirmed that the T20 World Cup 2026 is the most-watched edition to date, with over 500 million viewers in India alone, as the tournament enters the semifinal stage.