Former Team India captain Sunil Gavaskar delivered a bold verdict on India’s prospects in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, which is set to begin on February 7. The cricketer-turned-commentator stated that only a very poor day on the field could stop the Men in Blue from lifting the trophy at home.
India have dominated the ongoing home T20I series against New Zealand. They began the series with a 48-run win in Vadodara after scoring 238 runs in 20 overs. The hosts then chased down targets of 209 and 154 comfortably in the following two matches, sealing an unassailable 3-0 lead in the T20I series.
It Will Take A Really Bad Day – Sunil Gavaskar On India’s Prospects In T20 World Cup 2026
Writing in his column for Sportstar, Sunil Gavaskar shared his view on India’s strength in T20 cricket. The 76-year-old said that the format remains unpredictable, as a single strong over can change the course of a match, but India are currently playing outstanding cricket.
“Of course, in this ultra-short format of the game, one good over in either innings can turn a match on its head, so nothing is guaranteed. But the Indian team is playing some incredible cricket, and it will take a really bad day at the office for them to be defeated,” Gavaskar opined.
India lifted their second T20 World Cup title in 2024 under Rohit Sharma. The team is also looking to make history by becoming the first side to win the T20 World Cup while hosting the tournament. Notably, no team has won three T20 World Cup titles.
Showed Just Why This Team Is To Be Feared – Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar said a moment of brilliance early in the match played a key role in India’s dominant win over New Zealand in Guwahati. He highlighted Hardik Pandya’s sharp catch in the first over as the spark that lifted the team and set the mood for the contest.
“The comprehensive win in Guwahati showed just why this team is to be feared. It was as complete a performance as one could hope to see. The bowling was outstanding and the catching superb, with former captain Hardik Pandya leading the way with a catch that set the standard for the rest of the day,” Sunil Gavaskar stated.
India in Strong Form Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
India are in strong form ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Captain Suryakumar Yadav has scored 171 runs in three innings against the Black Caps at an average of 171.00 and a strike rate of 201.17, including two half-centuries. He registered an unbeaten 82 in the second T20I in Raipur.
Abhishek Sharma has also played a key role with the bat. The left-hander has scored 152 runs in three innings at an average of 76.00 and a strike rate of 271.42. He has hit two fifties, with his highest score of 84 coming in the series opener in Nagpur.
India will head into the T20 World Cup as defending champions after winning the 2024 edition under Rohit Sharma. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side is aiming to win a third title and become the first team to successfully defend the trophy.
The defending champions have been placed in Group A alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and the USA. India will open their campaign against the USA on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
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