India’s next generation of IPL batters is changing the way T20 cricket is played, and names like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Priyansh Arya are leading that charge. Their fearless batting has not only lifted their teams but also forced bowlers to rethink strategies in a format that is becoming increasingly aggressive. Former India pacers Zaheer Khan and Irfan Pathan believe this shift reflects a bigger evolution in Indian cricket.

Speaking to NDTV on the sidelines of the EUT20 Belgium jersey launch, both former fast bowlers praised the confidence and clarity shown by young Indian batters. Pathan felt the biggest change is the absence of fear. “I want to see if they have nerves or not. They don’t get nervous at all,” Irfan Pathan said.

He pointed out that modern Indian batters are taking on world-class bowlers like Jofra Archer and Josh Hazlewood without hesitation, something that would have been far less common a few years ago. Zaheer described the current phase as an exciting period for Indian cricket, especially because batters are playing the ball rather than the bowler’s reputation.

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“They are playing the ball, not the name,” Zaheer Khan said. He added that the simplicity with which these batters approach the game shows their growing confidence and strong preparation. “They are able to take on the bowler by keeping the game very simple. This shows the amount of confidence they have,” he explained.

Both former cricketers also discussed the rise of big totals in T20 cricket. With 200-plus scores becoming more common, the batting side often appears to have the upper hand. Even so, Zaheer reminded everyone that bowlers can still turn games around with the right mindset and execution.

“We witnessed 76 all out a few days ago. Aggression is the key for bowlers,” he said. Pathan agreed that while high-scoring matches are entertaining, conditions still matter. He believes surfaces that help bowlers can bring more balance to the format. “I am sure if we are able to create more pitches like Lucknow, the batters will struggle,” he said.

Beyond the on-field discussion, both Zaheer and Pathan also reflected on how their roles in the game have changed. Zaheer said he now enjoys sharing his experience and helping players grow, while Pathan spoke about the responsibility that comes with ownership and looking at cricket from a broader perspective.

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The EUT20 Belgium, a new franchise-based T20 tournament, will run from June 6 to 14 near Brussels with teams from Bruges, Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Liege. The event is designed to grow cricket in Europe, and with names like Eoin Morgan, Jonathan Trott, Shakib Al Hasan and Anil Chaudhary present at the launch, the project has already drawn strong attention.