Exclusive: No Kohli, No Rohit – India Still Favourites for 2026 T20 World Cup, Says Former Selector

In the absence of the retired greats of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the former India Chief Selector, MSK Prasad, believes that India have the ingredients to win back-to-back T20 World Cup trophies in the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Kohli & Sharma

A quick glance at Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s T20 International careers reveals that the duo retired on top of the world, with the 2024 edition of the ICC T20 World Cup trophy in their hands.

However, many believe that feat could have been a lot better had the pair continued, availed themselves for this year’s T20 World Cup, and attempted to be a part of the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup this year.

Given that the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is also in India, it drives the point even more. Perhaps Kohli and Sharma could have successfully defended the T20 World Cup and also done so at home in front of their friends and families, a feat that many players can only dream of.

However, former India Chief Selector, MSK Prasad, believes that Kohli and Sharma called time in their careers at the perfect time.

“While all of us would love to see legends like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continue in this T20 World Cup, we also know that every glorious journey must find its perfect moment to pause. And what better way to sign off than by lifting the T20 World Cup for the nation in 2024, a farewell written in gold,” Prasad told SportsBoom.com. 

“True champions don’t just win trophies; they leave behind a legacy. Rohit and Virat redefined the T20 mindset for India. They showed that aggression can be fearless yet responsible, that selfless cricket always stands above personal milestones." 

“More importantly, they passed on this philosophy to the next generation. Even in their absence from the format, you can still see their influence in the way this young Indian team plays, bold, positive, and always for the team first.”

India’s Chances

Without Kohli and Sharma, many wonder if the current crop of players in the India T20 World Cup squad will be able to handle the pressure of attempting to successfully defend the T20 World Cup.

However, Prasad believes that they are more than capable, citing the squad’s almost flawless track record post the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup.

“Under Suryakumar Yadav’s calm and confident leadership, this new-look Indian side has played a fearless brand of cricket. The team has moved forward with remarkable consistency, blending youthful energy with valuable experience in both batting and bowling,” Prasad told SportsBoom.com. 

“There is clarity in roles, belief in ability, and a hunger that reflects the culture built over the years. We have won 7 T20I series and one Asia cup post last World Cup which speaks volumes about this team’s potential."

“This doesn’t just look like a defending champion’s team, it looks like a team that has taken T20 cricket to another level. With the balance, depth, and fearless mindset they possess, everything seems to be in our favour to win the World Cup, unless and until we have a very ordinary day which seems unlikely for me.”

India are set to play their first fixture of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against the United States of America at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday, 7 February.