New Delhi: Former India head coach Rahul Dravid believes the current Indian team is at a different level in T20Is as he backed Suryakumar Yadav & Co. to
make it to the semi-finals of the upcomingT20 World Cup 2026. Dravid believes India will be one of the frontrunners for the title in the showpiece event, which will be played in India and Sri Lanka.
India lifted their second T20 World Cup title under former skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Dravid in 2024. The Men in Blue remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and defeated South Africa in a thrilling final to lift the trophy. Dravid signed off on a high from his stint as it was his last assignment as the coach of the Indian team.
Speaking at an event celebrating The Rise of Hitman, a book on former skipper Rohit Sharma by R. Kaushik, Dravid spoke about India’s chances in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The former India coach lauded the team for their consistency and fearless approach, backing them to make it to the semi-finals of the tournament.
“India are playing T20 cricket at a different level than most teams. They have had an 80% success rate in the last few years, which is amazing in a format that has so many ups and downs. They clearly start as favorites and they will make it to the semi-finals but as I have learned to my bitter disappointment, it’s about the better team on the day. Anybody can play a good knock and upset you,” Dravid said at the event, as quoted by PTI.
India are currently taking on New Zealand in a five-match series at home, their final T20I assignment before the T20 World Cup next month. The hosts have been phenomenal in the series so far, winning their first three matches in a row to clinch the five-match rubber with an unassailable 3-0 lead. India are a formidable outfit and will start as one of the favourites for the title in the showpiece event.
Rahul Dravid credits Rohit Sharma for leading India’s white-ball revolution
Meanwhile, former India coach Dravid also credited Rohit for leading India’s transformation in white-ball cricket. Dravid explained how India were slightly behind in terms of approach and tactics in the shortest format when he took over. As per him, Rohit led from the front as captain by taking an aggressive approach as an opener.
The Hitman took the responsibility of setting the tempo with his fearless batting, which resonated with the entire team and helped India develop a more attacking approach with the bat rapidly to adapt to the modern-day demands of T20 cricket.
“What was brilliant was that Rohit took the lead immediately. He took responsibility for setting the tempo himself, rather than asking others to do it. When your leader stands up and says, ‘I will do this, even if it comes at the cost of my average or my personal numbers,’ it becomes much easier to pass that message through the team,” said Dravid.
“I thought Rohit managed the transition into leadership really well. The team never felt that he had changed, and that is a rare and important quality in a leader,” he added.
