Legendary West Indies cricketer Viv Richards believes the India national cricket team have taken white-ball cricket to a completely new level following their emphatic success in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The Caribbean icon praised India’s dominance in limited-overs formats, saying their brand of cricket has set new benchmarks for teams around the world.
India clinched the T20 World Cup title with a commanding 96-run victory over the New Zealand national cricket team in the final at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium. Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, the Men in Blue created history by becoming the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup crown. It was also the first time a host nation had lifted the trophy, adding another remarkable chapter to India’s rich cricketing legacy.
Speaking to PTI, Richards explained that India’s aggressive approach and consistent performances have significantly influenced the evolution of white-ball cricket. The former West Indies captain admitted that watching India dominate modern limited-overs tournaments reminded him of the golden era of Caribbean cricket.
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“India have taken the game, in my opinion, to a different level, especially in the limited-overs formats like ODIs and T20s,” Viv Richards said. He also highlighted the massive role played by Indian fans in driving the team’s success. “It’s a wonderful gift for the fans because of the love and passion they show for cricket. The result almost feels like a reflection of the energy the country brings to the sport,” he added.
Richards also reflected on his own playing days when the West Indies national cricket team ruled world cricket. The Caribbean side famously won the first two editions of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1975 and 1979, establishing themselves as the most dominant force in the early years of limited-overs cricket.
“We won the first World Cup in 1975 and then again in 1979. Cricket played a massive role in shaping the identity of West Indies. Fans from that period still remember those special moments,” Viv Richards recalled.
India’s T20 World Cup triumph came soon after another global success. Earlier, the team lifted the ICC Champions Trophy by defeating New Zealand in Dubai, further strengthening their status as a powerhouse in world cricket. The World Cup campaign itself featured several crucial moments. A defining innings came from Sanju Samson, who smashed an unbeaten 97 against the West Indies at Eden Gardens to keep India’s campaign on track.
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India later edged past the England national cricket team in a thrilling semi-final before delivering a clinical performance in the final, posting a massive 255 for five and comfortably defeating New Zealand. Looking ahead, the next ICC Cricket World Cup will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027. With their current momentum, India have a realistic chance of achieving another historic milestone by potentially holding all three ICC limited-overs trophies simultaneously.
