T20 World Cup 2026 winner declared

The Suryakumar Yadav-led India National Cricket Team is going into the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 full of confidence, and Ravi Shastri feels this team can create history.

The former Indian head coach said that the Men in Blue have a real chance to become the first team to defend the T20 World Cup title. Since winning the T20 World Cup in 2024, India has been in brilliant form.

Ravi Shastri backs India to create history at T20 World Cup 2026

They have not lost a single series and have won 32 matches while losing only 5. They are also currently the No. 1-ranked T20I team in the world, which clearly shows how strong and settled the team is right now.

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Shastri believes that India will start the T20 World Cup 2026 as clear favorites, citing the right balance, great current form, and dangerous top order.

Ravi Shastri was quoted as saying by ICC: “I think the defending champions start as clear favorites. Man to man, current form, match fitness, and the amount of cricket they have played in recent times make them clear favorites. And especially when you look at that top order and the kind of form they're in.”

Shastri hails India’s perfect balanced squad

The former Indian head coach also hailed the selectors for selecting a mix of young players and experienced stars for the tournament. He pointed out that many youngsters will be playing their first World Cup, which allows them to play freely without pressure.

At the same time, the team still has experienced players from the 2024 title-winning squad who know how to handle big moments. Jasprit Bumrah continues to lead the bowling attack, while Hardik Pandya is in “terrific form” and ready to deliver big with both bat and ball.

The well-known broadcaster also noted that Shivam Dube has also improved a lot and has become a strong middle-order option. Shastri added, “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. 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.”

Ravi Shastri hails Tilak Varma and spin power ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Meanwhile, the Men in Blue are waiting for Tilak Varma to become fully fit, and Shastri feels the young left-hander is a very important player, saying his presence at the top “will make a difference” because he is a “terrific player.” Tilak gives India more balance in the batting lineup.

Spin bowling is expected to play a big role in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, and the former Indian captain believes that the defending champions are well covered in this area. With Varun Chakaravarthy, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, they have many spin options and good variety.

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Shastri noted, “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 variety, players at the right positions, and balance, India can defend this title.”

Even 15 bad minutes can cost India, warns Shastri

However, the former Indian all-rounder also warned that playing at home brings pressure, and he feels how the defending champions handle the pressure, especially at the start of the tournament, will decide their fate in the upcoming tournament.

Shastri signed off by saying, “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, 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.”

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