India has a strong track record in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. They won their first title in 2007 under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, followed by a second title in 2024 with Rohit Sharma at the helm. The 2026 tournament is currently underway from February 7 to March 8, hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
In Group A, India will compete against Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States. As defending champions after their 2024 victory over South Africa, another win would mark India’s third title, further strengthening their position in T20 Cricket.
India’s Record Against Associate Teams
Full-member teams usually dominate major ICC events due to better resources. However, associate teams have achieved surprising wins over established cricket nations. The T20 World Cup has seen notable upsets throughout its history.
In the 2024 tournament, the USA achieved their first victory against Pakistan. In 2022, Namibia shocked Sri Lanka with an unexpected win. The Netherlands made history by eliminating England in the 2009 tournament.
India has never lost to an associate team in T20 World Cup matches. They have faced Afghanistan, Scotland, the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia, winning all encounters.
Close Call Against USA in T20 World Cup 2026
In the ongoing 2026 tournament, India nearly faced their first loss to an associate team. They struggled against the USA, losing wickets quickly under pressure from tight bowling.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav played a crucial role, stabilizing the innings and helping India recover. Without his performance, India might have lost their first T20 World Cup match to an associate team.
India has yet to face Namibia and the Netherlands in this tournament. T20 cricket often brings surprises, and associate teams continue to improve. With strong players and the advantage of playing at home, India aims to maintain their winning streak against associate teams.
