Former Indian head coach Rahul Dravid said India will enter the T20 World Cup 2026 as favorites. However, Dravid reckons one bad day at the office can ruin things for India in the T20I showpiece. Under Dravid’s tutelage, Team India had a spectacular run in the 2023 ODI World Cup but could not cross the last hurdle against Australia.

Meanwhile, India has been in stunning form in T20Is and have lost only three games since the start of 2025. Suryakumar Yadav’s team has registered series wins against England, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. Thus, India have looked almost invincible in the shortest format of the game.

However, it is well known that a T20 game can turn on its head in a jiffy and any team can beat any team on a given day.

“Irrespective of how strong the Indian team is, one bad day in the office can undo everything,” Dravid said during ‘The Rise of the Hitman’ book launch in Bengaluru (via Times of India).

“They clearly start as favourites, and they will make it to the semi-finals, but as I have learned to my bitter disappointment, it’s about the better team on the day. Anybody can play a good knock and upset you,” he added.

Meanwhile, India has taken an impregnable lead of 3-0 in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand as the hosts have come up with a collective effort. 

The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.

India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7.