T20 World Cup 2026: Sunil Gavaskar warns India ahead of the knockout clash against West Indies

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has praised the resilience shown by Suryakumar Yadav and his team after their heavy 76-run defeat to South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eights. The loss had significantly dented India’s net run rate and raised concerns about their campaign, but Gavaskar commended the squad for responding in emphatic fashion in their very next outing. He highlighted the team’s positive intent and improved execution as signs of strong character and composure under pressure.

T20 World Cup 2026: Sunil Gavaskar feels India should not take West Indies lightly

India registered a convincing 72-run victory over Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The turnaround was powered by fluent half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya, whose aggressive stroke play helped India post a commanding total. The bowlers then delivered a disciplined performance to seal the win comfortably. Despite the dominant display, Gavaskar cautioned that India must remain alert ahead of their virtual quarter-final clash against the West Indies, warning that the hosts possess an explosive batting lineup capable of shifting momentum rapidly.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar also appreciated the tactical adjustments made by the team management in the playing XI. He specifically praised the decision to introduce Sanju Samson as an opener, a move aimed at breaking the sequence of left-handers at the top of the order. Gavaskar noted that having three left-hand batters consecutively can make it easier for opposition teams to settle into specific bowling plans and field placements. By bringing in Samson at the top, India added a right-handed option, which disrupted Zimbabwe’s bowling rhythm and forced them to rethink their strategies. He felt the change reflected proactive thinking from the team management and highlighted the importance of flexibility in tournament cricket, where small tactical tweaks can make a significant difference in high-pressure matches.

"India bounced back strongly from the South Africa loss with a dominant win over Zimbabwe. The margin of that defeat against South Africa would have shaken the players, but they used it positively versus Sikandar Raza’s team and made a strong comeback. After the match against South Africa, there was debate about whether India should make changes in the playing XI or not, and they made two changes and both worked out quite well,” stated former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar. 

“Sanju Samson didn't get a fifty, but gave India a flying start. Earlier, openers were getting ducks, with Abhishek Sharma getting out for zero runs in three games while Ishan Kishan got out without scoring runs against South Africa. Against Zimbabwe, Samson scored 24 runs in quick fashion. He and Abhishek scored at over 10 runs an over in the Powerplay, which was fantastic," he added. 

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar also expressed satisfaction with India’s overall bowling display, despite the team conceding 184 runs while defending a massive total of 257. He acknowledged that while the bowlers were taken for runs at certain stages, they maintained control during key moments and prevented the opposition from building sustained partnerships. Gavaskar felt that defending such a high total can sometimes lead to complacency, but India’s attack stayed focused enough to close out the game comfortably.

He was particularly appreciative of the returning Axar Patel, noting that the left-arm spinner bowled with discipline and composure. Gavaskar believed Axar did well to keep things tight in the middle overs, applying pressure and ensuring the required run rate remained out of reach. India are now set to face the West Indies in a virtual knockout at Eden Gardens on March 1. The high-stakes clash will determine who advances to the semi-final, with the winner moving ahead and the loser exiting the tournament.

“The bowling improved, too. Axar Patel kept things tight and picked a wicket, which was missing against South Africa. Scoring 256 with most batters getting time in the middle is great. It builds confidence. But India cannot take the West Indies lightly. Sunday's match decides if they go to the semis or wait for the 2028 T20 World Cup,” further added Gavaskar.

"As they say, why fix things if it ain't broke? But India were broken against South Africa. They realised they needed a right-left combination at the top. Learning from the previous game was very important. Now West Indies is a completely different challenge. They cannot be taken for granted. Their batters are in top form. Their bowlers are doing well. They punish opposition mistakes and strike at the right time," he concluded.