Former Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble believes India will miss the services of experienced players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. Both the veteran players had played an instrumental role in taking India to glory in the previous edition of the tournament.
While Rohit scored 257 runs in eight matches of the competition, Virat scored an all-important knock of 76 runs in the final clash against South Africa after he had a below-par tournament.
After winning the T20 World Cup, both the veteran batters had called time on their respective T20I careers.
“If you talk about experience, they will miss Virat and Rohit, the two legends, but if you talk about balance, I feel this team is also good because you have bowling options and the batting is different in terms of approach at the top,” the former India spinner said on Star Sports.
“However, it’s still going to be challenging. 2024, in terms of conditions, was very different. I would probably rate the 2024 team maybe 10 percent ahead of this team, but I still feel this team is very close to that,” he added.
Kumble added that Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav is going to hold the key in helping India win crucial moments of the game. SKY recently scored 242 runs in five games against New Zealand.
“Those are moments where you can’t really take the experience away. That’s where I feel that someone like a Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) will be very crucial. Yes, in terms of form, he will be crucial, but also ensuring those clutch moments are won by India,” he replied.
On the other hand, former Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara reckons India would need clarity in terms of team’s combination.
“I don’t agree with that because, on paper, the team might be better, but if we talk about clarity, there are still some questions in terms of team combination, whether they will play a third seamer or will you see two overs apiece from all-rounders as the third and fourth seamers. That clarity is still not there,” he said.
India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7.
