Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik believes defending champions India will enter the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as one of the most formidable teams in the competition, thanks to their depth, fearless approach, and proven dominance in home-like conditions. With the tournament set to begin on February 7 across India and Sri Lanka, expectations around Team India are understandably high.

Speaking alongside former England captain Nasser Hussain and ex-West Indies pacer Ian Bishop on Jiostar, Karthik highlighted why India remain such a difficult side to beat, particularly in subcontinent conditions. According to him, India’s strength lies not just in talent but in the sheer volume of quality players available across roles.

“India are a very tough team to beat anywhere in the world, but when they play at home or in similar conditions, they play some seriously good cricket,” Dinesh Karthik said. He pointed out that Indian cricket currently has such depth that the selectors could almost field two competitive international sides without a significant drop in quality.

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Karthik also underlined the significance of this being a fresh-looking Indian squad. With stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli no longer part of the T20 setup, India have embraced a new era under captain Suryakumar Yadav. The team is younger, more aggressive, and aligned with the modern demands of T20 cricket.

“It’s a fairly young team with a new captain, and they’ve played some fabulous, attacking cricket. That intent has been very clear,” Dinesh Karthik added, suggesting that India’s willingness to back fearless cricket could be a major advantage at the World Cup.

Ian Bishop, meanwhile, offered a broader perspective on the importance of preparation between World Cups. While he acknowledged that being defending champions carries confidence, he cautioned that history alone does not guarantee success.

“History has some bearing, but it’s not the be-all and end-all,” Ian Bishop said, citing examples like West Indies’ early exit in 2021 after winning the 2016 title. However, he felt India have rebuilt smartly since their last triumph, making their recent history a positive rather than a burden.

Bishop also flagged dew as a potential game-changer during the tournament, especially in February and March. Recalling India’s loss in the 2016 T20 World Cup semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium, he stressed how dew can heavily influence chasing conditions in the subcontinent. Former England captain Nasser Hussain shifted focus to the global appeal of T20 cricket and why the World Cup remains such a high-stakes event. He explained that the rise of white-ball specialists and franchise leagues has only strengthened the format’s popularity.

“A T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka is massive,” Nasser Hussain said. “It’s a shop window. Perform under pressure, and franchises around the world are watching. That’s what makes this format special.”

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India have been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, and Namibia. They begin their campaign against USA on February 7 in Mumbai, followed by matches against Namibia, arch-rivals Pakistan in Colombo, and the Netherlands. As defending champions with a refreshed squad and clear intent, India will once again start the tournament with the weight of expectation—and belief—on their shoulders.