Former England stars David Lloyd, Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell and Alastair Cook reacted to India’s dominance in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Former cricketers discussed whether any team can stop Suryakumar Yadav’s team from winning the title in subcontinent conditions.
India defeated Netherlands by 17 runs in their final Group A match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 18. The Men in Blue remained unbeaten by winning all four group matches. They topped the Group A points table and secured qualification for the Super 8 stage.
Former England cricketers discuss how to challenge India
Former England cricketers shared their views on how teams can challenge India during the T20 World Cup 2026. Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, Michael Vaughan said that Abhishek Sharma is a dangerous batsman despite getting out for three consecutive ducks in the World Cup.
“Abhishek Sharma, who has been a gunslinger, has got four notches out of five in his last. So he deserves it,” Vaughan said.
Phil Tufnell said that it is never easy to defeat India. He said that the Associate teams pushed India close at times, but added that pressure is the only thing that is capable of stopping India.
“You have to hope. I mean, at the end of the day it’s like a lottery, isn’t it? I know these allies have come close, but you have to think, as you were saying Sir Alistair, as the pressure increases. Pressure is the only thing to beat India in India,” said Phil Tufnell.
I don’t think anyone will come to this comp… https://t.co/jtxL1jV0Zp
– Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) 19 February 2026
USA is the team that is closest to them so far” – Michael Vaughan
David Lloyd asked whether teams should bat or bowl first against India. Alastair Cook said the best option is to bat first and put runs on the board, then hope to take early wickets and apply pressure. Michael Vaughan said that America has come closest to harassing India so far.
“What do you want to do? Do you want to bat first or bowl strategically against India?” David Lloyd asked.
“I think you have to get runs on the board. Old school. And just hope you can get some quick runs, and then there will be pressure on them to score runs at the rate of nine or ten an over. The reason they are so good is that they play so much in those conditions that for every situation they come across, they have a way of getting 70 for 7 against the United States, just like the first game,” Alastair Cook said.
“Well, the USA is the team that’s closest to them so far,” Michael Vaughan said.
India end group stage undefeated with 17-run win over Netherlands
India finished the T20 World Cup 2026 group stage unbeaten with a 17-run win over Netherlands. They decided to bat first and scored 193/6 in 20 overs.
India lost early wickets, but the middle order held the innings well. Suryakumar Yadav scored 34 runs in 28 balls, Tilak Verma scored 31 runs in 27 balls and Hardik Pandya added 30 runs.
After this Shivam Dubey took over the innings. He scored 66 runs in just 31 balls, hitting four fours and six sixes at a strike rate of 212.9. For Netherlands, Logan van Beek took three wickets, while Aryan Dutt took two wickets.
In reply, Netherlands fought hard and finished at 176/7 in 20 overs. Varun Chakravarthy was the bowler of choice for India with figures of 3/14, and Dubey also took two wickets to win the Player of the Match award.
Also Read: “I’m still not happy…” – India batting coach on Tilak Verma’s struggles in T20 World Cup 2026
