As the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 approaches, former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that defending champions India have what it takes to become the first team to win back-to-back titles. With an impressive win-loss record of 32-5 and ranked No.1 in the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings, India boasts an enviable squad, including the top-ranked Men's T20I batter Abhishek Sharma and bowler Varun Chakaravarthy. But here's where it gets controversial: Shastri believes that the Indian selectors have managed just the right mix of youth and experience to take them to another World Cup triumph. While India has assembled its A-team, the former India coach has urged the team to be cautious and ready for the pressure of a home World Cup. "When you're defending your title and when you're playing at home, there is pressure and it comes from nowhere," he noted. "You have a bad 15 minutes, a bad 10 minutes in a T20 game, 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." India begin their T20 World Cup campaign on February 7 against the USA. They have been drawn in Group A along with the USA, Pakistan, the Netherlands, and Namibia. But this is the part most people miss: Shastri's belief in India's ability to defend the title is not just based on their current form and squad strength. "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, there's Kuldeep Yadav. When you look at variety, players at the right positions and balance, India can defend this title." So, what do you think? Do you agree with Shastri's assessment of India's chances? Or do you have a different perspective? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
