Phil Salt, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star and England opener, has identified India as the team to beat in the upcoming T20 World Cup, acknowledging their strength and the formidable challenge of facing them on their home turf. Salt's comments come as India prepares to enter the tournament as defending champions, riding high on impressive form.
"I think everyone's going to need a bit of luck to beat them," Salt stated. "I think they are by far and away the strongest team in the World Cup. I am really excited by the idea that we get to come up against them in a World Cup in their backyard," he added.
India's recent form has been nothing short of dominant. Since the last T20 World Cup, which they won under Rohit Sharma's captaincy and Rahul Dravid's coaching, the team has remained undefeated in T20I series. Following that victory, Suryakumar Yadav took over as captain, and Gautam Gambhir stepped in as coach. Their recent victories include series wins against strong opponents like South Africa and Australia on their own grounds, as well as lifting the Asia Cup, showcasing their adaptability to diverse conditions. Most recently, India secured a five-match T20I series against New Zealand, winning the first three games before losing the fourth. The fifth and final match is scheduled for January 31.
A key factor in India's strength is their embrace of an aggressive, modern approach to T20 cricket, with Abhishek Sharma leading the charge at the top of the order. Sharma is currently ranked as the number one T20I batter in the ICC rankings. In 36 innings, he has scored 1,267 runs at an average of 37.26 and a strike rate of 194.92, including two hundreds and eight fifties.
Salt also lauded Sharma's fearless approach and wide range of shots, while also recognizing the uniqueness of his batting style and its impact at the top of the order. "The fact that he can hit the first ball for a six like that, the way he runs down the wicket, fights that line from really straight to get it over the off side, but then also hits a ball wide to him over the leg side — it is completely different," Salt said. "I am never going to be him. He's never going to be me. But I do enjoy watching him bat," he added.
Suryakumar Yadav's return to form has further bolstered India's batting lineup, while their bowling attack is well-suited to Indian conditions.
India is placed in Group A for the T20 World Cup 2026, alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and the USA. They will begin their campaign against the USA on February 7.
Salt is currently in Sri Lanka, preparing for a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, which commences on January 30 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
