Former India head coach Rahul Dravid has issued a warning to Suryakumar Yadav’s team ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. Taking inspiration from Team India’s experience in the ODI World Cup 2025, the former cricketer said that the campaign of the tournament favorites will end after just one bad day.
India have been in great form in T20 cricket and have suffered only three defeats in the format since the start of 2025. They have won T20I series against England, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. The Men in Blue have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the ongoing five-match T20 series at home.
One bad day at the office can ruin everything – Rahul Dravid on India’s chances in T20 World Cup 2026
Rahul Dravid advised the current T20 team to be cautious as they prepare to defend their title at home in the 2026 T20 World Cup. He said past success and strong form do not guarantee results in smaller tournaments. Dravid said that even the best teams’ campaigns can collapse after one bad day.
“No matter how strong the Indian team is, one bad day at the office can spoil everything,” Rahul Dravid said during ‘The Rise of the Hitman’ book launch in Bengaluru (via Times of India).
He said, “They obviously start as favourites, and they will reach the semi-finals, but as I have learned to my bitter disappointment, it is all about the better team on the day. Anyone can play a good innings and upset you.”
India’s World Cup hopes in 2022 and 2023 under Rahul Dravid’s leadership
Rahul Dravid led India in major tournaments as one of the top contenders. The team performed well in the 2022 T20 World Cup and 2023 ODI World Cup, but failed to clinch the title after falling short in the knockout matches on both occasions.
India later ended its wait for a silver medal by winning two consecutive major titles. Dravid ended his coaching stint with the Indian team after the 2024 T20 World Cup win, while Gautam Gambhir led the team to the 2025 Champions Trophy win.
Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, India looks dominant in the ongoing home T20 series against New Zealand. They started the series with a 48 run win in Vadodara after scoring 238 runs in 20 overs.
After this, India easily achieved the target of 209 and 154 runs in the next two matches and took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.
India to open 2026 T20 World Cup campaign against USA at Wankhede
India will begin their 2026 T20 World Cup journey with a group-stage match against the United States on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium. The defending champions have been placed in Group A along with Pakistan, Namibia, USA and Netherlands.
The tournament will be played from February 7 to March 8, with matches taking place at venues in India and Sri Lanka. After lifting the trophy for the second time in 2024, India now has a chance to become the first team to win the T20 World Cup three times.
Apart from India, England and West Indies have claimed the title more than once. India can also create history by becoming the first team to win the T20 World Cup on home soil. Sri Lanka came close to achieving this feat in 2012 but lost to West Indies in the final.
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