T20 World Cup: Rampaging India eye history at home as they begin title defence amid turbulent

MUMBAI: After a turbulent buildup marred by geopolitical tensions in South Asia, the largestever T20 World Cup will finally get underway on Saturday across venues in India and Sri Lanka. The 2026 edition features 20 teams divided into four groups, with three matches scheduled on the opening day. However, contro -versy has dominated the build-up following Bangladesh’s withdrawal and Pakistan’s decision to boycott their high-profile clash against In -dia in Colombo on Feb 15. With politics threatening to overshadow the event, the focus now shifts to cricket.

India start as favourites despite entering their first T20 World Cup without Rohit Sharma. No team has won the title three times, no host na -tion has lifted the trophy and no side has successfully defended it. Yet, India, armed with a squad that may be stronger than the one that won the 2024 title in the West Indies, have a realistic chance of rewriting history. They arrive on the back of an Asia Cup triumph and a dominant 4-1 T20I series win against New Zealand. While Ishan Kis -han is in strong form at the top, the explosive Abhishek Sharma, currently the ICC’s top-ranked T20I bat -ter, could be their biggest weapon. The spin trio of Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel is expected to thrive on Indian surfaces.

England too are among the leading contenders after a 3-0 T20I series win in Sri Lanka. Captain Harry Brook underlined their bat -ting firepower with a 66-ball 136 in the final ODI. Although the 2010 and 2022 champions have faltered in recent white-ball tournaments, their current form and deep bat -ting lineup featuring Brook, Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett make them dan -gerous opponents.

Australia, champions in 2021, look weakened by the absence of their famed pace trio. Mitch -ell Starc has retired from T20Is while Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are in -jured. Their batting, how -ever, remains formidable, with Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis and Tim David capable of turning matches, while Adam Zampa pro -vides a high-class spin option.

Pakistan, despite the off-field noise, have shown promising form after clean-sweeping Australia 3-0 at home and reaching the Asia Cup final last year. Opener Saim Ayub offers explosive starts while spinners Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq could be effective on Sri Lanka’s turning tracks. New Zealand, though beaten 4-1 by India recently, remain a dan -gerous side.

South Africa will be desperate to shed their tag of nearly men after losing the 2024 final to India by seven runs. Bighitter Dewald Brevis could be the breakout star of the tournament. Hosts Sri Lanka boast a po -tent bowling attack, with spin -ners Wanindu Hasaranga, Ma -heesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage supported by pacers Matheesha Pathirana and Dush -mantha Chameera. The first round is expected to feature several matches involving associate nations, potentially testing fan interest until the Super Eights.

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