RCB star puts a target on India’s back ahead of T20 World Cup, calls them the strongest team: ‘Need luck to beat them’

England opener Phil Salt has labelled India the team to beat at the upcoming T20 World Cup, acknowledging their dominance.

Updated on: Jan 30, 2026, 22:07:23 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Team India is set to enter the T20 World Cup with high expectations, not only as defending champions but also on the back of impressive form. The team has embraced a fresh, ultra-attacking approach, with world No. 1 Abhishek Sharma leading the charge at the top. India have outplayed teams like South Africa and Australia on their own turf, while also lifting the Asia Cup, underlining their ability to adapt to conditions across the world. Suryakumar Yadav’s return to form has also come at the perfect time for India, adding greater firepower to the batting line-up, while the team continues to boast a potent bowling attack well suited to Indian conditions.

Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav have been in fine form. (AFP)

England opener Phil Salt has labelled India the team to beat at the upcoming T20 World Cup, acknowledging their dominance and admitting that it will take something special to challenge them on home soil.

“I think everyone’s going to need a bit of luck to beat them. I think they are by far and away the strongest team in the World Cup. I am really excited by the idea that we get to come up against them in a World Cup in their backyard,” Phil Salt was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

Also Read - Ishan Kishan’s availability uncertain for 5th T20I, but coach hints at likely return: ‘Physios will take a call’

“I am never going to be him. He's never…”: Phil Salt

Salt also singled out Abhishek for special praise, admiring the young opener’s fearless approach and range of strokeplay, while acknowledging the uniqueness of his batting style and the impact it has had at the top of the order.

“The fact that he can hit the first ball for a six like that, the way he runs down the wicket, fights that line from really straight to get it over the off side, but then also hits a ball wide to him over the leg side — it is completely different. I am never going to be him. He’s never going to be me. But I do enjoy watching him bat,” he added.

Abhishek Sharma has been in red-hot form and currently sits atop the ICC T20I batting rankings, underlining that there is clear method behind his fearless approach. He looks to put bowlers under pressure from the very first over, attacking without hesitation or fear of failure. That intent, combined with his ability to back his shots, has helped him find consistency while maintaining a high-impact scoring rate.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.