Ex-AUS Star Reveals Only Way India Can Be Stopped From Winning T20 World Cup: 'Probably Have To...'

India’s recent series against New Zealand demonstrated why the defending champions will be exceptionally tough to beat in the T20 World Cup starting on February 7, said former Australian cricketer and now coach Michael Klinger.

India’s aggressive top-order core makes them arguably the strongest team heading into the ICC event, noted Klinger, the head coach of the WPL franchise Gujarat Giants.

“With the form they’re in and what I saw recently against New Zealand, India are going to be extremely difficult to beat. A team will probably have to catch them on a bad night in a final to beat them,” Klinger was quoted as saying by PTI.

Abhishek’s Impact

He highlighted Abhishek Sharma’s emergence as a key aspect of India’s new top-order strategy.

“Abhishek Sharma is probably

my new favourite player. I’ve been watching him for a while now. Opening with Travis Head in the IPL and now doing it at international level, he’s fearless and amazing to watch,” said Klinger, who played three T20s for Australia and appeared in 182 first-class games.

India’s fearless approach was evident with Abhishek and Kishan, who consistently pressured New Zealand’s bowlers.

“Ishan Kishan has come back in fantastic form and is certainly putting a case forward to start in the XI at the World Cup,” he added, noting that India’s depth has turned selection into a challenge rather than a concern.

However, Klinger cautioned that India would face stiff competition from traditional rivals.

“Australia and South Africa are strong teams. South Africa, coming off a lot of T20 cricket recently, will be dangerous as well,” he said.

India Squad For ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026:

Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.

(With inputs from Agencies)