T20 WC 2026: Pietersen explains nature of format, picks India as favourites

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Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen feels that India are the favourites to clinch the title. He also said that, considering the nature of the format, two players from any team can deliver performances to defeat their opposition.

“India are the favourites, definitely, and everyone will admit this. But in T20 cricket, anything can happen. In T20 cricket, on any given day, you can have two superstar players in the opposition who can beat you,” he said.

“You are playing against great players in other teams. That`s international sport,” added Pietersen.

The former cricketer then heaped praise on star spinner Kuldeep Yadav, saying that he has all the tricks to help his team win the matches.

“Kuldeep is a star and a brilliant, brilliant guy. He is a tremendous character and a fighter. He is desperate to win and has got all of the tricks,” he said.

While there has been periodic discussions around fluctuations in Kuldeep`s form, Pietersen urged patience and perspective.

“In life and in sport, people need to realise that sometimes it doesn`t go your way. Maybe he (Kuldeep) is having one of those periods that everyone has. I don`t know because I`m not following it that closely technically, but he is a beautiful human and a wonderful bowler,” said the former England cricketer.

“Pressure is always there when you`re expected to win, and handling those moments is what defines champions,” he added.

The T20 World Cup 2026 is all set to begin from February 7, and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Team India is placed in Group A of the tournament along with teams Namibia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and the United States of America (USA).

The “Men in Blue” will begin their campaign on the same date by playing a clash against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

India`s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan (WK), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma, Harshit Rana.

(With PTI Inputs)

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