Former India player and coach Ravi Shastri has hailed the performance put in by India at the 2026 T20 World Cup after qualifying for the final. The Men in Blue secured a narrow seven-wicket win over England in the semi-final to book a spot in the final against New Zealand.
After posting a 253 on the board, India were given a real run for their money by the Three Lions thanks to Jacob Bethell’s 105. However, thanks to some brilliant fielding and bowling from the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel, the hosts prevailed in a nervy encounter.
Shastri praised how well India have played in the tournament. He acknowledged the balance of the squad and suggested that it is always helpful when players in the team have already tasted success which gives them valuable experience in tough situations.
“It was a lot tighter than many people think․ Yes, it shows seven runs on the board, but for those catches from Axar Patel this could have gone either way,” Shastri was quoted as saying on the Indian Express.
“They’ve played some real consistent cricket․ They have got a nice blend of youth and experience, a lot of the players who played in the last World cup final are on the side so they would have gained from that experience and here playing at home is not easy,” he added.
India chasing history in Ahmedabad
India will be having one eye on creating history when they face New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, March 8.
The Men in Blue are vying to become only the first men’s side to win three T20 world titles should they win on Sunday, March 8. As things stand, England, West Indies and India are all tied on two trophies each.
Should they win the title, India will also become the first men’s side to also retain the T20 World Cup.
Get every cricket updates! Follow Us: