Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli Will Be Missed: Anil Kumble Shares Views On India's T20 World Cup 2026 Team

The Indian team is preparing to defend its crown at the T20 World Cup 2026, two years after winning the trophy in 2024. India had beaten South Africa in the final, claiming a second T20 world title under captain Rohit Sharma.

That 2024 squad also featured senior names such as Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, giving the line-up heavy international experience. For the T20 World Cup 2026, India will move ahead without Rohit and Kohli, who retired from T20I cricket after the 2024 final.

T20 World Cup 2026 squad balance and experience

Former India captain Anil Kumble discussed how the current side compares with the champions from 2024. "If you talk about experience, they will miss Virat and Rohit, the two legends, but if you talk about balance, I feel this team is also good because you have bowling options and the batting is different in terms of approach at the top," Kumble told Star Sports.

Kumble pointed out that conditions at the 2024 tournament had helped shape that title run. "However, it's still going to be challenging. 2024, in terms of conditions, was very different. I would probably rate the 2024 team maybe 10 percent ahead of this team, but I still feel this team is very close to that," he added.

T20 World Cup 2026 clarity on India combinations

Cheteshwar Pujara compared India's 2024 squad to that of 2026 and focused on tactical clarity. "I don't agree with that because, on paper, the team might be better, but if we talk about clarity, there are still some questions in terms of team combination, whether they will play a third seamer or will you see two overs apiece from all-rounders as the third and fourth seamers. That clarity is still not there," Pujara said.

With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli gone from the T20 format, India enter the T20 World Cup 2026 with a refreshed core and open questions over roles. Views from Anil Kumble and Cheteshwar Pujara highlight how selection, balance, and tactics remain central to the title defence.