Former England stars David Lloyd, Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell, and Alastair Cook reacted to India’s dominance in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The former cricketers discussed whether any team can realistically stop Suryakumar Yadav’s side from winning the title in subcontinent conditions.
India defeated the Netherlands by 17 runs in their final Group A match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 18. The Men in Blue stayed unbeaten, winning all four group matches. They finished on top of the Group A points table and sealed qualification for the Super 8 stage.
Former England Cricketers Discuss How to Challenge India
Former England cricketers shared their views on how teams might challenge India during the T20 World Cup 2026. Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, Michael Vaughan said that Abhishek Sharma is a dangerous batter despite three consecutive ducks in the World Cup.
“Abhishek Sharma, who’s been a gun, he’s got four noughts out of five in his last. So he’s due,” Vaughan said.
Phil Tufnell stated that beating India is never straightforward. He said that associate teams pushed India close at times, but added that pressure is the only thing capable of stopping India.
“You’ve got to hope. I mean, it is a bit of a lottery at the end of the day, isn’t it? I know these associates have got close, but you’d like to think, as you were saying Sir Alastair, as the pressure ramps up. Pressure is the only thing beating India in India,” Phil Tufnell said.
I don’t think anyone will in this comp … https://t.co/jtxL1jV0Zp
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 19, 2026
USA Are the Team That’s Got the Closest to Them So Far” – Michael Vaughan
David Lloyd asked whether teams should bat or bowl first against India. Alastair Cook said that the best option is to bat first and put runs on the board, then hope to take early wickets and build pressure. Michael Vaughan added that the USA have come closest to troubling India so far.
“What do you want to do? Do you want to bat first or bowl against India tactically?” David Lloyd asked.
“I think you have to put runs on the board. Old school. And just hope that you can get a couple early, and then the pressure of them needing to go at nine or ten per over. The reason they are so good is that they play so much of it in those conditions that for every scenario they come across, they seem to have a way of finding like the first game, 70 for 7 against the USA,” Alastair Cook stated.
“Well, the USA are the team that’s got the closest to them so far,” Michael Vaughan opined.
India Finish Group Stage Unbeaten With 17-Run Win Over Netherlands
India finished the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 unbeaten with a 17-run win over the Netherlands. They opted to bat first and scored 193/6 in 20 overs.
India lost an early wicket, but the middle order steadied the innings. Suryakumar Yadav scored 34 off 28 balls, Tilak Varma made 31 off 27, and Hardik Pandya added 30.
Shivam Dube then took control of the innings. He smashed 66 off just 31 balls, hitting four fours and six sixes at a strike rate of 212.9. For the Netherlands, Logan van Beek picked up three wickets, while Aryan Dutt took two.
In reply, the Netherlands fought hard and finished on 176/7 in 20 overs. Varun Chakaravarthy was the pick of the bowlers for India with figures of 3/14, and Dube also claimed two wickets to win the Player of the Match award.
Also read: “I am still not happy…” – India batting coach on Tilak Varma’s struggles in T20 World Cup 2026
