as and when T20 World Cup 2026 The start date of 7th February is approaching, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has heated up the selection debate by revealing his ideal Indian playing XI. Speaking on his YouTube channel on January 27, 2026, Kaif presented a bold plan for the defending champions, prioritizing batting depth and spin variations for subcontinent conditions, which India And Sri Lanka are important.
Explosives a central point of Kaif’s analysis Abhishek Sharma There was competition for the opening slot with. Despite recent difficulties, Kaif sanjiu samson Backed him to open the batting, although he warned that the upcoming matches against New Zealand were a final ultimatum. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif explained: “If Sanju doesn’t score in the next two games, Ishan will come up and Tilak will come in at three. He is a proven player and you want to bring him back. But he will come straight into the World Cup without any practice. We have to see how he will be tested now. Either Sanju or Ishan will play. There is a competition there now. Sanju’s next two innings will decide who will play.”
In a move that surprised many people, Kaif Harshit Rana experienced to Arshdeep Singh Preference was given to the batsman, saying that a longer batting order was required. He said: “Harshit Rana will play at eight. Maybe Arshdeep will be out there. We have seen that when Arshdeep plays, Bumrah does not play. So Arshdeep will sit out. The three fast bowlers will be Hardik, Rana, and Bumrah. Rana is ahead in the XI because he can bat at eight.”
Furthermore, in the middle-order struggle, Kaif Shivam Dubey Ko fans favorite finisher Rinku Singh put forward, stating: “Dubey was part of the winning team of 2024. He has been playing since then and is also bowling now. If one has to choose between them, I think he is ahead.” He concluded that having match-winners like Rinku on the bench would be beneficial for the Indian team management. “Nice headache” Is.
Kaif’s final selection is a balance of three fast bowlers (which includes Hardik Pandya) and a powerful three-pronged spin attack to take advantage of home conditions:
The ‘Men in Blue’ will enter the World Cup in devastating form, currently New Zealand Are leading 3-0 in their home T20I series against. After this series, India will face India at the Wankhede Stadium on 7 February. usa Will begin his World Cup campaign against. After this in Delhi on 12th February namibia There will be a match against, and in Colombo on 15 February Pakistan There will be a high-tension match against. He was in Ahmedabad on 18th February. Netherlands They will conclude the group stage against Australia as they look to defend their championship and become the first three-time T20 World Cup winners.
