On paper, and on current form, one might just assume that Team India are the favorites to win the T20 World Cup 2026 against New Zealand, on Sunday in Ahmedabad, at the Narendra Modi Stadium. But if we keep all this aside, there are just multiple reasons, why it is a folly to call India the favorites.
This is something that the ardent cricket fans would dislike, but there is some degree of truth in it as well.
Pressure of 132,000 spectators in Ahmedabad, remember 2023 WC final?
It is just not easy to play in front of over a lakh people, cheering for you, expecting you to win. And the pressure of final is something else. As an Indian, the 2023 WC final loss hurt badly. And the horror of that final has not gone away. Every fan would be hoping for a happy ending this time around.
IND has never beaten NZ
Can you imagine, Team India has never beaten the Kiwis in the T20 World Cup; the story dates back to 2007 — where we lost in Johannesburg, while chasing 191. Then the next loss was at the home WC of 2016, where NZ spinners were just too good against the Indian batting. And then in 2021, India were beaten in Dubai; there India were restricted to 110 only.
No home team has ever won
In 2007 — hosts South Africa did not reach the semis. England were poor in the 2008 edition. West Indies could not do it in 2010, Sri Lanka failed in 2012. Moving on to Bangladesh in 2014, they were no good in 2014, while India lost to West Indies in semis in 2016. 2021 edition was hosted by the UAE and Oman, who are still minnows. Australia were not in the semis for 2022 edition, while 2024 was held in USA & West Indies, and both teams did not qualify for semis. So, it could be difficult to change the trend.
No team has won back-to-back titles
YearWinning Team2007India2009Pakistan2010England2012West Indies2014Sri Lanka2016West Indies2021Australia2022England2024IndiaNZ has two ICC titles, both vs..
Not many might know, but the Kiwis have two ICC trophies to their name, and on both occasions, they have beaten India to lay their hands on the silverware. In 2000, they beat us in the final of the ICC Knockout. And then more recently, they beat us in the final of the World Test Championship, four years back.
Unpopular opinion: New Zealand, not India favourites to win T20 World Cup Inside Sport India.
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