India haven’t lost a T20I series under Suryakumar-Gautam Gambhir regime.
Team India look to be in belligerent form ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 and will enter the tournament as a formidable contender to retain their title.
In the lead up to the marquee event, the Suryakumar Yadav-led side is currently hosting New Zealand in a five-T20I series. The Men in Blue have already gained an unassailable lead in the series after winning first three matches.
While India won the series opener by 48 runs, they chased down 209 and 154 in 15.2 and 10 overs during the second and third T20Is to emerge victorious by seven wickets and eight wickets respectively.
Moreover, India haven’t lost a T20I series under Suryakumar-Gautam Gambhir regime, boasting an impressive win-loss record of 32-5.
Looking at the unprecedented dominance, former head coach Ravi Shastri believes the current defending champions can become the first team to win back-to-back T20 World Cup titles.
“I think the defending champions start as clear favourites,” Shastri said, as quoted by ICC. “Man to man, current form, match fitness, the amount of cricket they have played in recent times, makes them clear favourites. And especially when you look at that top order and the kind of form they're in.”
According to Shastri, the Indian selectors have picked just the right mix of youth and experience to power them to another World Cup triumph.
India’s squad includes the No. 1 ranked batter and bowler in Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakaravarthy, respectively.
“There's less baggage on a lot of players. They're playing their first World Cup and it's an opportunity for them to express themselves,” Shastri stated.
“And from the team that played the previous World Cup and won it in the West Indies, you've got tons of experience and brilliance.
“There's Jasprit Bumrah, there's Hardik Pandya, who I think is in terrific form at the moment and the ability for him to contribute with bat and ball. Shivam Dube has come along nicely.
“India will be hoping for Tilak Varma to be fit because he is a terrific player. And again, being a left-hander, the top of the order will make a difference.
“I think spin will play an integral part. And India has got enough ammunition in that spin department. There's Chakaravarthy, there's Axar Patel, there's Kuldeep Yadav. When you look at variety, players at the right positions and balance, India can defend this title.”
While it seems that India have all bases covered, Shastri urged the team to be cautious and ready for the pressure of a home World Cup.
“When you're defending your title and when you're playing at home, there is pressure and it comes from nowhere,” he remarked.
“You have a bad 15 minutes, a bad 10 minutes in a T20 game, it can decide the outcome of the game. And often, you lose those 10 minutes or 15 minutes because of pressure.
“So, it's how India handles that pressure, the way they start the tournament. If they start well, even if there is a hiccup on the way, they have got depth in batting to pull them out of it.”
India will open their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on February 7 against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
India’s squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh