Who will win the T20 World Cup 2026? Ravi Shastri reveals
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that the Indian team has the potential to defend the T20 World Cup title and can become the first team to win back-to-back World Cup titles. The tournament will run from February 07 to March 08. The Indian team has already announced a 15-member squad for the event. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side, along with current No. 1 batter & bowler, Abhishek Sharma, and Varun Chakravarthy. The team is looking solid for the tournament.
Under Surya’s captaincy, India has not lost any bilateral T20I series so far. Last year, India also won the Asia Cup 2025 title. According to Ravi Shastri, the Indian team management chose a balanced team that can defend the title in home conditions.
“I think the defending champions start as clear favourites,” Shastri said. “Man to man, current form, match fitness, and the amount of cricket they have played in recent times make them clear favourites. And especially when you look at that top order and the kind of form they're in.”
Ravi Shastri believes that the Indian selectors selected a combination of young and experienced players, which will take the team to another World Cup glory. He acknowledged that many of the team's players are new and will be playing their first World Cup. Everyone will have a golden opportunity to express themselves. The team's young players will have to work alongside the experienced players.
“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 said.
“And from the team that played in 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.
Shastri also said that the Indian team is hoping for Tilak Varma’s quick recovery. He praised Tilak Varma’s recent contribution, especially in the Asia Cup 2025. Apart from Tilak, he said that the spin bowling of the Indian team is very important for the World Cup.
“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, and there's Kuldeep Yadav. When you look at the variety, players at the right positions, and balance, India can defend this title.”
Shastri believes that the home team is always under pressure. Especially in T20 matches, where even a team's loss of just 10-15 minutes can change the outcome of the match. It remains to be seen how the Indian team handles the pressure.
“When you're defending your title and when you're playing at home, there is pressure, and it comes from nowhere. You have a bad 15 minutes or a bad 10 minutes in a T20 game, and 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.”
The Indian team has been placed in Group A in the World Cup, along with Pakistan, the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands. India’s campaign starts on February 07 against the USA. After this, they will face Namibia on February 12, Pakistan on February 15, & Netherlands on February 18.
