MS Dhoni has praised the T20I team led by Suryakumar Yadav, calling it one of the strongest teams ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, starting on February 7. Dhoni, who led India to its first T20 World Cup win, believes the current team is well-prepared to defend its title.
India, the reigning champions, will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against the United States at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7. Fans are also looking forward to the exciting match against Pakistan, scheduled for February 15 in Sri Lanka.
Here is what Dhoni said on Mahi Unplugged:
“It’s one of the most dangerous teams. They’ve already started batting or bowling. What does a good team need? Everything is there. They have the experience, and especially in this format, the experience is extensive. They’ve played under pressure, and the players have been in their roles for a long time,”
Dhoni pointed out a challenge that often affects captains in limited-overs Cricket: dew. He reflected on how dew can significantly impact a match’s outcome.
“What worries me? I really dislike dew. Dew changes everything. It was a concern for me during my playing days. The toss becomes crucial because of it. If you play 10 matches against top teams in fair conditions, you’ll likely win most of them,” he said, emphasizing that neutral conditions highlight a team’s true abilities.
MS Dhoni Confident India T20I Team Can Defend 2026 World Cup
As a leading T20 captain, Dhoni discussed the unpredictable nature of this format. He noted that strong teams can struggle if certain players do not perform well or if an opponent exceeds expectations. His message to Team India is to focus on their roles and execute them effectively; if they succeed, the team will be robust.
MS Dhoni is confident that the India T20I team, under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership, is ready to defend their T20 World Cup title in 2026. He mentioned that the unpredictable nature of the format means even top teams can falter if a few players underperform.
Dew has been a challenging factor in white-ball cricket, but with smart planning, it can be managed. Dhoni encouraged players to focus on their specific roles and perform them well. If the team remains disciplined and consistent, they have a good chance of success in the tournament starting on February 7.
