MUMBAI: Former India fast-bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan said he is encouraged by how IPL-2026 has shifted back towards tighter bowling contests, with teams increasingly finding ways to restrict batters and defend totals. Speaking on Wednesday during a promotional engagement, the veteran expressed delight at the resurgence he has been witnessing from the pace and spin ranks.<\/p>\n
Zaheer pointed to the low-scoring trend and the manner in which teams have been forced to fight for runs. He highlighted the frequency of small totals\u2014citing instances of sides being dismissed for scores in the \u201c70-odd\u201d range\u2014and referenced the fact that 155 has been defended in at least one match. For him, the change reflects that bowlers are executing plans with renewed intent. \u201cI\u2019m very happy to see bowlers coming back in the IPL,\u201d Zaheer said. \u201cYou\u2019ve seen low scores, 155 being defended, teams bowled out for 70-odd. It shows that aggression and the right approach are working.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zaheer singled out Bhuvneshwar Kumar as a central figure in the bowling revival. His steady returns for RCB have brought renewed discussion around a possible return to the India fold. The former India captain\/coach-in-waiting type figure suggested that the experienced campaigner still has more to offer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great to see Bhuvi delivering like this,\u201d Zaheer said. \u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019s thinking along those lines. The IPL has always been a platform to push for national selection and he\u2019s making a strong statement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turning to Jasprit Bumrah, Zaheer addressed the scrutiny that comes with lean patches. Bumrah has taken only two wickets across seven games, and his output has been questioned by some observers. Zaheer urged supporters to remain patient, insisting that no bowler\u2019s season is a straight line.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery bowler goes through phases like this. It doesn\u2019t define you,\u201d Zaheer said. \u201cBumrah is aware of it and with games left, he can still turn it around.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zaheer also looked ahead to the younger pace options emerging in the tournament, with special mention of LSG\u2019s Mohsin Khan and Prince Yadav. He noted that Mohsin\u2019s rhythm has been disrupted by injuries but believes the underlying ability is already proven.<\/p>\n
\u201cMohsin has had a stop-start run because of injuries. The skill is there, but he needs to stay fit and play consistently,\u201d Zaheer said. \u201cPrince, on the other hand, has put in the hard yards and is reaping the rewards. It\u2019s exciting to see such talent coming through.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zaheer\u2019s comments underline a broader theme of IPL-2026: bowlers are increasingly taking control through accurate execution, and form is starting to swing back towards competition in the middle overs. As the tournament progresses, the performances of established India prospects and developing fast bowlers are expected to shape the narrative heading into the season\u2019s business end.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MUMBAI: Former India fast-bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan said he is encouraged by how IPL-2026 has shifted back towards tighter bowling contests, with teams increasingly finding…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":6378,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Zaheer Khan Predicts Tight IPL 2026 Pace, Spin Surge","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Zaheer Khan says IPL 2026 is set for tighter battles as pace and spin strike back, with teams defending totals and batters facing tougher spells.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n