'India will miss Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma': Former head coach points out 'missing' element in T20 World Cup squad

NEW DELHI: Former India captain and head coach Anil Kumble has shared his views on India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. He feels the team that won the title in 2024 was slightly stronger than the current group. According to Kumble, the main reason is experience.

India lifted the T20 World Cup in 2024 under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy. They beat South Africa in the final and ended an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy.




Players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma played a major role in that success. Their calm mindset and big-match experience stood out.

After the the win, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja retired from T20 international cricket.

Suryakumar Yadav was then named captain. Since his appointment, India have not lost a T20I series. However, Kumble believes the current squad is well-balanced but something is missing.

"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 said on Star Sports' "Out of the Park" show.

He compared both teams and said, "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."

Kumble was also asked about pressure moments. He recalled how Kohli and Axar Patel stepped up in the 2024 final. He feels someone must do the same in 2026.

But Kumble backed the current captain, saying, "Those are moments where you can't really take the experience away. That's where I feel that someone like a Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) will be very crucial. Yes, in terms of form, he will be crucial, but also ensuring those clutch moments are won by India."

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