Former India head coach Rahul Dravid has issued a warning to Suryakumar Yadav’s team ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. The former cricketer stated that the tournament favorites’ campaign will end after just one bad day, drawing from Team India’s experience in the ODI World Cup 2025.
India have been in outstanding form in T20 cricket, suffering just three defeats in the format since the start of 2025. They have clinched T20I series victories against England, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. The Men in Blue have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the ongoing five-match T20I series at home.
One Bad Day in the Office Can Undo Everything – Rahul Dravid on India’s Chances at T20 World Cup 2026
Rahul Dravid advised the current T20I side to stay alert as they prepare to defend their title at home in the 2026 T20 World Cup. He stated that past success and strong form do not guarantee results in a short tournament. Dravid added that even the best teams’ campaigns can collapse after one bad day.
“Irrespective of how strong the Indian team is, one bad day in the office can undo everything,” Rahul Dravid said during ‘The Rise of the Hitman’ book launch in Bengaluru (via Times of India).
“They clearly start as favourites, and they will make it to the semi-finals, but as I have learned to my bitter disappointment, it’s about the better team on the day. Anybody can play a good knock and upset you,” he added.
India’s World Cup Heartbreaks in 2022 and 2023 Under Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid led India into major tournaments as one of the top contenders. The team performed well at the 2022 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup but failed to secure titles after falling short in the knockout matches on both occasions.
India later ended their wait for silverware by winning two major titles in succession. Dravid ended his coaching tenure with the Indian team after the 2024 T20 World Cup victory, while Gautam Gambhir led the side to the 2025 Champions Trophy triumph.
Under Suryakumar Yadav, India have looked dominant in the ongoing home T20I series against New Zealand. They opened the series in Vadodara with a 48-run win after posting 238 in 20 overs.
India then chased down targets of 209 and 154 comfortably in the next two matches to seal an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.
India to Open 2026 T20 World Cup Campaign Against USA at Wankhede
India will begin their 2026 T20 World Cup journey with a group-stage match against the United States on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium. The defending champions have been placed in Group A along with Pakistan, Namibia, the USA, and the Netherlands.
The tournament will be played from February 7 to March 8, with matches spread across venues in India and Sri Lanka. Having lifted the trophy for the second time in 2024, India now have the chance to become the first team to win the T20 World Cup three times.
Apart from India, England and the West Indies have claimed the title more than once. India could also create history by becoming the first side to win the T20 World Cup on home soil. Sri Lanka came close to achieving the feat in 2012 but lost the final to the West Indies.
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