India vs …? Rahul Dravid reveals dream final for T20 World Cup 2026

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The T20 World Cup 2026 is reaching its business end, and the excitement is palpable as the Super 8 stage kicks off. Amidst the high-voltage clashes, former Indian head coach and legendary batter Rahul Dravid has shared a refreshing perspective on his ideal scenario for the tournament’s climax. While the world often anticipates a repeat of traditional rivalries, Dravid has voiced his support for a narrative that could reshape the global cricketing landscape.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Dravid revealed that his “dream final” involves more than just a win for the Men in Blue. While he admitted he would happily take “India versus anybody,” he expressed a heartfelt desire to see a lesser-fancied nation reach the summit clash alongside India. Dravid specifically highlighted Zimbabwe as a team he would love to see in the final at Ahmedabad on March 8.

“I would take India versus anybody. India versus Zimbabwe? That would be great for Zimbabwe cricket. It would be amazing if Zimbabwe could make it,” Dravid remarked.

Dravid’s comments aren’t just sentimental; they are grounded in the stellar performances of associate and rising nations in this edition. Zimbabwe, led by Sikandar Raza, has been the tournament’s “giant killer,” securing historic group-stage victories over former champions Australia and Sri Lanka.

The former coach praised the “fantastic cricket” played by these teams, noting that the emergence of such talent is the defining story of the 2026 World Cup. Even for teams that didn’t make the Super 8s, Dravid emphasized that their fearlessness has been a major boost for the sport’s global appeal.

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Switching focus to the defending champions, Dravid expressed immense confidence in the side currently led by Suryakumar Yadav. He pointed out that India’s greatest strength in 2026 is its squad depth, which ensures the team isn’t over-reliant on just one or two star performers.

However, ever the pragmatist, Dravid warned that T20 remains the most “volatile format” of the game. He urged the Indian team to stick to their processes and maintain their focus, reminding fans that in a knockout scenario, a single bad day can change everything.

“They are doing really well. They have been playing some fantastic cricket in the last couple of years. As the tournament goes towards the Super 8s, and you get into the knockout, I think it obviously gets defined by a few critical moments. I think the great advantage that India has is that we are not relying on 1-2 people. We have got great depth in the side. So you would expect that depth to come through. But of course, it is Twenty20 cricket; there is an unknown in Twenty20 cricket. It is the most volatile format of the game, and on any given day, as I have learnt as well as a coach, you can lose. Stick to the process and do what you can and hope for the best,” added Dravid.

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