India’s dominant run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has sparked debate across the cricketing world, with several former England stars weighing in on whether anyone can realistically stop them in subcontinent conditions. After India’s 17-run win over the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the Men in Blue finished unbeaten in Group A, winning all four matches and cruising into the Super 8 stage.

Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India has looked tactically sharp and supremely confident. On the Stick to Cricket podcast, former England captain Michael Vaughan pointed out that despite Abhishek Sharma’s lean run — including multiple ducks — the left-hander remains a major threat.

“He’s been a gun. He’s got four noughts in his last five, so he’s due,” Michael Vaughan remarked, suggesting that India still have untapped firepower at the top. Former spinner Phil Tufnell offered a broader view, claiming that pressure might be the only real opponent capable of unsettling India at home.

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While associate nations have shown glimpses of competitiveness, he stressed that beating India in their own conditions is a different challenge altogether. Veterans David Lloyd and Alastair Cook discussed tactical approaches. Cook advocated batting first, putting runs on the board, and then striking early with the ball to create scoreboard pressure. According to him, India’s familiarity with conditions gives them solutions to almost every match scenario.

I don’t think anyone will in this comp … https://t.co/jtxL1jV0Zp

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 19, 2026

The Netherlands clash reinforced that depth. India posted 193/6 after opting to bat first. Suryakumar contributed 34, Tilak Varma added 31, and Hardik Pandya chipped in with 30. The real acceleration came from Shivam Dube, who blasted 66 off 31 balls at a strike rate above 200, smashing six sixes.

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In response, the Dutch fought admirably but were restricted to 176/7. Varun Chakaravarthy’s 3/14 proved decisive, while Dube’s two wickets capped a complete all-round performance.

If there is a weakness in this Indian unit, it hasn’t surfaced yet. As the Super 8 stage approaches, the bigger question remains: can anyone handle India’s balance, depth and adaptability under mounting knockout pressure?