Former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has backed the Suryakumar Yadav-led India national cricket team to win the T20 World Cup 2026 after a close 29-run win over the United States in their tournament opening match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday, February 7.
Sourav Ganguly names India as favorite for T20 World Cup 2026
The former Indian captain has described the defending champions as the strongest team in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 and the clear favorites to create history by defending the title next month.
Ganguly said that this Indian team has everything necessary to win the World Cup. He also feels that as the T20 World Cup 2026 progresses, the Men in Blue will only improve and become even stronger, citing the problems they faced in the opening match of the tournament against USA in Mumbai.
Also read: United States government wades into India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup war to break boycott impasse
“This is a very powerful and strong team that has all the balance – bowling, batting, fielding… They will get better as the World Cup goes on… They are favorites to win the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” ANI quoted Sourav Ganguly as saying at an event in Delhi.
Suryakumar Yadav is a champion T20 player: Sourav Ganguly
Speaking about Suryakumar Yadav, Ganguly was full of praise for the India captain’s form and impact. The great batsman feels that Suryakumar is a top-class T20 player who understands the format very well and knows how to handle pressure, and this was fully seen against USA.
Suryakumar (84*) played the captaincy innings and saved India from embarrassment on Saturday. The great batsman admitted that the stylish batsman’s leadership and form will play a huge role in India’s success in the tournament as they aim for a third title.
The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president further said, “He came into this tournament scoring a lot of runs…he is a champion T20 player.”
Sourav Ganguly surprised by Pakistan’s decision to boycott!
Sourav Ganguly has also expressed surprise over Pakistan’s reported decision to boycott their high-profile match against India in the T20 World Cup 2026.
The former Indian captain clarified that he did not understand the reason behind such a move, especially when he has to play at a neutral venue.
He concluded, “Why withdraw from the World Cup? They are playing in Sri Lanka anyway. I am surprised by Pakistan’s withdrawal… In the World Cup, every point is important.”
Also read: Suryakumar Yadav’s innings against America forces Gautam Gambhir to accept greatness
ICC officials meet PCB in Lahore to save India vs Pakistan match
Meanwhile, a very important meeting is scheduled to be held in Lahore on February 8 to resolve the issue of Pakistan boycotting the T20 World Cup 2026 match against India. Bangladesh will also join the talks along with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the ICC to help break the impasse.
ICC vice-president Imran Khawaja and senior official Mubashir Usmani are already in Pakistan and are set to hold discussions with the PCB to find a solution to keep the tournament on track and avoid further controversy.
It is being said that after the high-profile meeting, Pakistan may change its stand and agree to play against India on February 15. The ICC also wants to settle the matter as soon as possible, as the India vs Pakistan match is one of the biggest games of the World Cup.
