'Past Has Got No Meaning, But...': Ganguly On India's Chances In T20 World Cup 2026

Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly has picked India as one of his favourites to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 title. The 2026 edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will feature a total of 20 teams and the matches will be played across five venues in India and three in Sri Lanka. According to Ganguly, the Indian team, which will play under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, is very strong side and they are at their best at the moment.

The former left-handed batter, who also served as the president of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from 2019 to 2022, there’s a lot of quality in the Indian team and he is sure about Indian players peaking at the big tournament.

“India is a very strong team and I think they are at their best

at the moment. The batting, the spin department, the seam bowling led by (Jasprit) Bumrah. So, there is a lot of quality in the side. What’s important in these big tournaments is, is to peak at the right time and play well during the tournament. I know past has got no meaning but, they will peak at the big tournament and I think they will be one of my favourites,” Ganguly said in a video shared by Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) on Instagram.

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In the T20 World Cup 2026, India will open their campaign on February 7 in Mumbai against the United States of America and then take on Namibia at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on February 11. India’s high-voltage Group A match against Pakistan is on February 15 at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, and then on February 18, the defending champions will face the Netherlands at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

In the T20 World Cup 2026, the iconic Eden Gardens of Kolkata will host seven matches, including a semifinal if Pakistan and Sri Lanka fail to qualify and Dada is excited for fans to come and watch matches.

“I think not just CAB, the whole of the city is looking forward to the mega event. There are seven matches, including an India game on the 1st of March and then a semi-final. So, it’s a big event,” he said.

“I was president the first time when we hosted it in 2016 (T20 World Cup). The India-Pakistan game and the final. So, CAB, it’s a great stadium, it’s a great venue and it will be full and people are looking forward to this tournament. They will enjoy it here, come and watch cricket. They always do actually. People come and watch cricket, they will be turning up as well.”

“There are other teams as well who will be playing because that’s what the World Cup is. It’s a 20-team competition, so there will be other games. Come and watch it. There are some good sides who will play well in T20 cricket. Hit the ball a long way, hit sixes and fours and you will enjoy it,” he added.