Nearly two years have passed since Indian cricket experienced one of its most unforgettable moments in the United States. Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, India produced a flawless run to win the T20 World Cup, becoming only the second team in history to lift the title twice. The campaign ended with a dramatic last-over victory against South Africa, sealing an unbeaten tournament and a comeback that fans will remember for years.
Soon after that historic triumph, Indian cricket entered a new chapter. Captain Rohit Sharma, along with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, announced their retirement from T20 internationals. At the time, questions naturally arose about how the team would cope without three of its biggest match-winners. Those doubts have since faded, thanks largely to the aggressive and consistent run India have enjoyed under new captain Suryakumar Yadav.
Since taking over the leadership, Suryakumar Yadav has overseen a dominant phase for the T20I side. India are yet to lose a T20I series, whether bilateral or multi-nation, and now head towards the 2026 T20 World Cup as the top-ranked team in the format. Given their current form, they are widely seen as clear favourites to defend the title.
The strength of this line-up lies in its balance and fearlessness. There are few visible weaknesses and the recent return of Ishan Kishan has only added to the team’s depth. Ishan Kishan has looked determined to silence critics and has immediately made an impact, reinforcing India’s already strong batting unit.
Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta believes that the team has raised its standards since the 2024 World Cup win. He feels that the confidence gained from that triumph has pushed the group to a higher level, something which was clearly visible in India’s recent 4-1 series win over New Zealand. According to him, the intensity and dominance shown in the series reflected a side playing with freedom and belief.
Deep Dasgupta also feels that India are well-placed to lift another trophy, as long as they avoid an off day. He acknowledged that the T20 format can be unpredictable but believes India have enough quality and momentum to overcome most challenges.
One area that may cause some concern is the current dip in form of Sanju Samson. The wicketkeeper-batter, who has been India’s first-choice opener, has struggled for runs, making team selection slightly complicated. With Ishan Kishan in strong form and fresh from an explosive performance against South Africa in a World Cup warm-up match on Wednesday, there is a real possibility of a change in the playing XI during the tournament.
Deep Dasgupta also addressed the growing presence of left-handed batters in the team. He does not see it as an issue, even if Suryakumar bats at number four and the top three features left-handers Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma. In his view, flexibility and adaptability matter more than rigid combinations.
With form, depth and confidence on their side, this new-era Indian team appears ready to embrace the future and possibly add another World Cup to its legacy.
