Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma (ANI Photo) NEW DELHI: Former India captain and head coach Anil Kumble has shared his views on the Indian squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup T20. He feels the team that won the title in 2024 was a bit stronger than the current group. According to Kumble, the main reason is experience.India lifted the T20 World Cup in 2024 under Rohit Sharma. They beat South Africa in the final and ended their 11-year wait for an ICC trophy.
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Players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma played a major role in this success. Their calm thinking and experience from the big match stood out.After the win, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja quit T20 international cricket. Suryakumar Yadav was then appointed captain. India have not lost a T20I series since his appointment. However, Kumble believes that the current team is well-balanced but something is missing. “If you talk about experience, they will miss Virat and Rohit, two legends, but if you talk about balance, I feel this team is also good because you have bowling options and batting is different in terms of approach at the top,” Kumble said on Star Sports’ “Out of the Park”.Comparing the two teams, he said: “However, it will be even more challenging. 2024, in terms of the 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.”Kumble was also asked about pressure moments. He recalled how Kohli and Axar Patel made it to the finals in 2024. He feels someone has to do the same in 2026. But Kumble backed the current skipper, saying, “Those are the moments when you can’t really take the experience away. That’s where I feel someone like Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) will be very crucial. Yes, in terms of form, he will be crucial, but he will also ensure that those clutch moments are won by India.”
