MS Dhoni, former India captain, has provided an evaluation of the current Indian T20 squad ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Dhoni termed the present Indian team as one of the “most dangerous” teams, stating that it’s a killer to have such depth, experience and specific roles in the side. The 2019 captain of the World Cup winning team said that the current side is ready to defend its title.
“It’s one of the most dangerous teams. You know, they would have already started batting or bowling. But what all is needed in a good team? Everything is there. They have the experience. Especially when it comes to this format, the experience is vast. They have played under pressure. Whoever is playing whatever roles they are playing in the team, they have been in that situation for a considerable period of time,” Dhoni said on Mahi Unplugged.
However, he also mentioned dew, which has historically caused problems for white-ball cricket captains. The former captain admitted to his particular phobia of dew and highlighted how it may have a huge impact on match results.
“What worries me? Again, I hate dew. Dew changes a lot of things. So, even when I was playing, something that really scared me was dew. Where the toss becomes crucial and all of that. If we are playing 10 matches with some of the best teams, we will come out as winners more often than not. If the conditions remain neutral,” he exclaimed.
Dhoni, one of the best T20 leaders of all time, emphasized the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where one off-day or an inspired opposition performance can sink even the finest teams, and that will be the hosts’ main problem.
“The problem is when some of your players have a day off and somebody from the opposition has a brilliant day. And it can happen in the T20 group. So, that’s the time. Whether it happens in the league stage, whether it happens in the knockout stage, that’s where all the praying is needed. You know, nobody should get injured. Whatever roles are given, people should accomplish their roles for the team,” he said.
“And if that’s the case, I don’t want to jinx it by saying anything. But it’s one of the most dangerous teams,” he concluded.
Watch the conversation here:
India beat Pakistan in the final to win their first T20 World Cup in 2007, which was led by MS Dhoni. Rohit Sharma’s team finally broke the 17-year drought in 2024, when they claimed the trophy in West Indies and the United States. This time around, in 2026, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, the team will have a chance to defend their title at home.
