Former cricketer Murali Kartik stated that it is a great testament to Team India’s strength and prowess that they won the T20 World Cup 2026 despite being far from their best in the campaign. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side secured the title with a stunning 96-run win over New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, on Sunday, March 8.
Team India came into the tournament as firm favorites, but faced brief hiccups in the group stage. Despite finishing as table toppers with an unbeaten record, the team had their moments of vulnerability, especially in the tournament opener against the USA, where they were reduced to 77-6 at one stage.
In the Super 8 stage, the Men in Blue suffered a heavy loss against South Africa, and were tested by West Indies in a virtual quarterfinal. In the semifinal against England, the defending champions had to keep their nerve to claim a narrow seven-run win.
Murali Kartik highlighted the factors that showcased India’s lack of dominance throughout the tournament, barring the final.
“This team is not even in full-throttle; there is so much more capability in this team. They have won this tournament without even being at their 100 percent. It is not as if Abhishek Sharma had a stunning tournament, even Varun Chakaravarthy did not have a special tournament. We did not get opening starts except for this game. It is a big thing that we have managed to win the tournament despite not being at our 100 percent,” Murali Kartik said on Cricbuzz.
Abhishek Sharma had a forgettable tournament overall as he could only contribute 89 runs in the seven matches before the final. Similarly, Varun Chakaravarthy also had his struggles after a fairly successful group stage. The mystery spinner had a forgettable second half of the tournament, which includes a dismal performance in the semifinal, with figures of 1-64 from four overs.
“I was thinking 280 at one point” – Murali Kartik on Team India’s dominance in IND vs NZ T20 World Cup 2026 Final
With Team India’s top three of Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan all slamming quick-fire fifties, the team were comfortably placed at 203-1 after 15 overs. At that stage, with wickets in hand, the expectation was that there would be a record score on offer.
However, New Zealand were able to claw their way back with three wickets in the 16th over as India had to settle with 255 on the board.
Murali Kartik hailed India’s dominant and calculative batting approach, with special praise for resetting the standards of the format altogether.
“If he had played like today, we could have chased down the 187 run target against South Africa as well. But sometimes mistajes happen, you learn from it, and that is important. But this two-year run of dominance, and scary brand of cricket, the parameters have been set different now. I was thinking 280 at one point. I like that we are showing dominance now, because we have seen the Australian team in the past dominating,” Murali Kartik said.
Murali Kartik took a sly dig at certain pundits who had hinted at India’s lack of travel and familiarity with playing at the venue as factors behing their 2025 Champions Trophy.
“This time nobody can say that we were staying in one hotel and had no travelling. This time we have travelled entire India, even gone to Sri Lanka. India have defied a lot of odds to win this tournament,” Kartik added.
Team India played in a total of six different venues over the course of the T20 World Cup 2026. Despite being the host nation, they had to travel to Colombo to face Pakistan in the group stage.
Edited by Gokul Nair
