MS Dhoni recently shared his thoughts on how India might fare in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Speaking on the show Mahi Unplugged, the former captain, who led India to that famous first T20 title, said he thinks Suryakumar Yadav’s side is one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament. He was especially impressed by the amount of talent they have across the board.
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Dhoni pointed out that these players have spent years mastering this format and know their specific roles inside out. He noted that since these guys have played in high-pressure games for so long, they don’t get the same jitters you see in younger teams. He really believes this maturity gives India a massive edge as they get ready to defend their title at home.
Dhoni didn’t just talk about the positives, though. He also flagged a major outside factor that could change everything: the dew. He admitted he hates how it tips the scales of a game. When the outfield gets too wet, the match often turns into nothing more than a coin toss because bowlers just can’t get a grip on the ball during the second innings.
Even so, Dhoni feels that if the conditions stay fair, India will likely win most of their matches against the top teams. Fans are buzzing after hearing this, seeing his endorsement as a massive confidence boost for the whole squad.
“It’s one of the most dangerous teams. You know, they would have already started batting or bowling. But what is needed in a good team? Everything is there. They have the experience. Especially when it comes to this format, the experience is vast. They have played under pressure. Whoever is playing whatever roles they are playing in the team, they have been in that situation for a considerable period of time,” Dhoni said on Mahi Unplugged.
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Dhoni’s take suggests the current Indian team isn’t just relying on one or two superstars. Instead, they’ve built a system where everyone knows their job. Suryakumar Yadav has put together a very disciplined group.
Guys like Rinku Singh and Abhishek Sharma know exactly what the coaches expect of them, whether they are opening or finishing. Because they know the plan so well, the team can change tactics on the fly without panicking, even if they lose a few early wickets.
The experience Dhoni mentioned comes from years of grinding through tough IPL matches and recent series wins. That experience has made them tough enough to handle the mental stress of a World Cup. These players know how to time an innings on slow Indian tracks and how to use the specific shapes of grounds like the Wankhede or Eden Gardens to their advantage.
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However, that dew issue is still a major headache for the coaching staff. History shows that teams batting second get a huge leg up in humid Indian weather. The wet ball slides onto the bat easily, while the moisture makes it almost impossible for spinners to do their job.
Suryakumar Yadav needs to make winning the toss a priority or come up with a rock-solid backup plan, like using dry balls more often or having his pacers bowl cross-seam. This squad definitely has the talent to keep the trophy, but in the end, it’ll come down to how they handle the things they can’t control. That’s what will decide if they can finally break the host nation curse at the T20 World Cup.
