Mumbai, Jan 16 (NationPress) Former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik asserts that the defending champions, India, continue to be a significant contender as they head towards the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. He highlights the team's depth, aggressive style of play, and impressive record in familiar surroundings.

With the prestigious tournament just weeks away, Karthik, alongside Nasser Hussain and Ian Bishop, discussed India's chances in the multi-nation competition, commencing on February 7.

“India is a formidable team to face in various parts of the globe, but on home soil, they showcase some exceptional cricket,” Karthik stated during an interview with Jiostar.

“The depth of talent in Indian cricket is well-known, which is fascinating as they could potentially field multiple teams and still perform admirably, given their recent achievements. The current squad is relatively fresh, with no Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli. They now have Suryakumar Yadav leading as captain and a youthful lineup that has exhibited remarkable, aggressive cricket,” he added.

Ian Bishop, a former cricketer from the West Indies, emphasized that while past performances can be relevant, India's preparation between World Cups provides them with an advantage as reigning champions.

“While history has some influence, it isn’t the sole factor. There are cautionary examples. For instance, the West Indies were champions in 2016, but in 2021, they did not progress far in the tournament. On the women’s side, New Zealand entered after a series of losses and went on to win the World Cup in 2024,” Bishop remarked.

“As the defending champions, India’s success hinges on their development between World Cups, and I believe they’ve done well in that regard. Their historical success will be beneficial,” he added.

Bishop also pointed out dew as a significant challenge that teams may encounter during the tournament set to take place in India and Sri Lanka in February and March.

“One of the primary obstacles in India during this season is dew, which significantly impacts play. I recall the 2016 semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium where India scored over 190, but dew complicated fielding, allowing the West Indies to chase it down. Dew has always been a crucial factor in subcontinental conditions,” he explained.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain discussed the evolution of T20 cricket and why it continues to draw worldwide interest.

“Teams are increasingly leaning towards white-ball specialists, who are attracted to T20 cricket due to its popularity. While Test cricket has its admirers, if you ask fans, especially in this region, many will declare T20 as their preferred format,” Hussain noted.

“This is precisely why a T20 World Cup is such a monumental event, particularly when hosted in India and Sri Lanka. It serves as a showcase. Perform well on this grand stage, and franchises globally will be watching. T20 is a format that creates surprises and unforgettable narratives, which is what makes it so thrilling,” he added.

In the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup, the defending champions India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia.

India will kick off their Cup journey against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7, followed by a match against Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on February 12.

The highly anticipated clash against Pakistan is slated for February 15 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, before concluding the group stage against the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 18.