T20 World Cup 2026: 'They will miss Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma' - Former captain's blunt claim on India's squad for the global event

Published - 02 Feb 2026, 15:57 IST | Updated - 02 Feb 2026, 15:58 IST

The legendary Anil Kumble opined that the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup in 2024 was slightly better than the one that will compete in the upcoming edition of the global extravaganza.

Kumble stated that Suryakumar Yadav's men will miss the experience that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma brought to the table in the previous edition. Under Rohit's inspirational captaincy, India defeated South Africa in the final to end an 11-year title drought in ICC events.

After the memorable triumph, Rohit, Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja retired from T20I cricket, and Suryakumar took charge. Since then, the Men in Blue have not lost a T20I series. Kumble believes the current team has a lot of balance, with plenty of bowling options and an ultra-aggressive batting approach.

During a discussion on the Star Sports show 'Out of the Park,' Kumble was asked whether India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup is better than the one they had in 2024.

"If you talk about experience, they will miss Virat and Rohit, the two legends, but if you talk about balance, I feel this team is also good because you have bowling options and the batting is different in terms of approach at the top," the former India spinner responded.

"However, it's still going to be challenging. 2024, in terms of conditions, was very different. I would probably rate the 2024 team maybe 10 percent ahead of this team, but I still feel this team is very close to that," he added.

Parthiv predicts India's playing 11 for T20 World Cup 2026

Kumble was asked whether someone from the current team would have to step up in crunch moments like Kohli and Axar Patel did when India were in a spot of bother in the final in 2024. The cricketer-turned-expert backed Suryakumar Yadav to play a key role because of the substantial experience he has in the international circuit.

"Those are moments where you can't really take the experience away. That's where I feel that someone like a Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) will be very crucial. Yes, in terms of form, he will be crucial, but also ensuring those clutch moments are won by India," he replied.