Phil Salt Calls India Strongest Team at T20 World Cup 2026

England batter Phil Salt has labelled India the strongest team at the T20 World Cup 2026 and said luck will be needed to beat them.

England opener Phil Salt has labelled India as the strongest side ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. He said rival teams will require some luck to defeat the defending champions.

India lifted the title in 2024 under Rohit Sharma with Rahul Dravid as head coach. After the tournament, Suryakumar Yadav took charge as captain and Gautam Gambhir replaced Dravid. Since the leadership change, India has remained unbeaten in the T20I series.

“I think everyone’s going to need a bit of luck to beat them(India). 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,” Salt was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

Phil Salt on Abhishek Sharma

Phil Salt then praised India batter Abhishek Sharma for his attacking style and impact at the top of the order. He highlighted Sharma’s ability to score quickly from the first ball and attack both sides of the wicket.

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“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,” Phil Salt added.

Notably, India also recently secured a five-match T20I series against New Zealand. They won the opening three games before losing the fourth. The final match is scheduled for January 31.