New Delhi: With the T20 World Cup 2026 set to begin on 7 February, former India head coach Rahul Dravid has issued a timely warning to the national team. While India enters the tournament as hot favorites to defend their title, Dravid reminded the squad that even one bad day can undo months of hard work. Drawing from the 2023 World Cup final, he emphasized that “the team that plays well on match day wins,” highlighting the fine margins in cricket.
Learning from Past Finals
Dravid recalled the 2023 ODI World Cup, where India won all ten of their matches leading up to the final but lost to Australia on 19 November 2023, when Travis Head played a sensational century. Despite the setback, India bounced back to win the T20 World Cup on 29 June 2024, ending a 13-year wait for an ICC trophy in white-ball cricket.
Rohit Sharma’s Transformational Role
Speaking at the launch of R. Kaushik’s book The Rise of the Hitman, Dravid praised Rohit Sharma for transforming the team in white-ball cricket. After India’s defeat to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Rohit stepped up to lead the batting revolution, focusing on raising the run rate and encouraging calculated risks. “Rohit took responsibility for setting the team’s tempo himself. By leading from the front, he sent a clear message that the team should follow, even if it impacted his own averages or personal stats,” Dravid said.
Dravid added, “The team never felt the transition. This is one of the rarest qualities of a leader—transforming a team seamlessly while inspiring confidence and consistency.”
Consistent T20 Dominance
India has maintained a remarkable 80% success rate in T20 internationals over the past three years, losing only to the West Indies in August 2023. While Dravid acknowledged India’s strength and predicted a semi-final appearance, he stressed that even a single off day could change the outcome.
“India is undoubtedly a favorite, but cricket is unforgiving. One bad day can turn everything upside down,” he said.
As the countdown to the T20 World Cup 2026 continues, India will rely on the experience and leadership of veterans like Rohit Sharma, guided by the lessons of past finals, to defend their title successfully.
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