NEW DELHI, INDIA: Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has claimed that India are the favourites to win the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, and have what it takes to outplay their opponents. Speaking at an event (as per ESPNCricinfo), Dhoni mentioned that India have the right experience when it comes to playing under pressure.
“What all is needed in a good team, everything is there. They have the experience, especially when it comes to this format; the experience is vast. They have played under pressure. Whoever is playing whatever roles they are playing in the team, they have been in that situation for a considerable period of time,” said Dhoni.
“If we are playing ten matches against some of the best teams, we will come out as winners more often than not, if the conditions are neutral and all of that. The problem is when some of your players have a day off, and somebody from the opposition has a brilliant day, and it can happen in T20 cricket. So that’s the time – whether in the league stage or the knockout stage, that’s where all the praying is needed,” he added.
“People should accomplish their roles for the team” – MS Dhoni
Dhoni, who led India to the title in the inaugural ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2007, knows a thing or two about winning white-ball trophies. He also led the country to the ODI World Cup and the Champions Trophy titles in 2011 and 2013, respectively. Although he favoured India to defend the T20 World Cup they won in 2024, the reclusive wicketkeeper-batter spoke at length about the dew factor.
“What worries me, again, I hate dew. Dew changes a lot of things. Even when I was playing, something that really scared me was dew, where the toss becomes crucial and all of that,” said Dhoni.
Dhoni, 44, has long retired from international cricket but continues to ply his trade for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He parted by saying that India were one of the most ‘dangerous’ teams in the tournament, with the hope that players would perform their roles to perfection.
“You know, nobody should get injured. Whatever roles are given, people should accomplish their roles for the team. And if that’s the case, I don’t want to jinx it, but it’s one of the most dangerous teams,” he concluded.
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