India enter T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Pakistan in Colombo as the definitive favorites. Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, the Men in Blue have been nearly unstoppable since their 2024 title win in Barbados, securing every T20I series they have contested. Their recent dominance is highlighted by back-to-back victories over top-tier opponents, including a 3-1 series win in South Africa and a commanding 4-1 triumph against New Zealand.
Kapil Dev’s bold verdict on India carrying favourites tag vs Pakistan
Adding to India's psychological edge is their recent history against Pakistan. During the 2025 Asia Cup, India defeated their arch-rivals in all three of their encounters, culminating in a high-pressure victory in the final. This run of form, combined with a 7-1 historical lead in T20 World Cup meetings, has firmly established India as the team to beat at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
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"It could do both, it all depends on how you take it. Nepal almost defeated England, while Zimbabwe actually shocked Australia. In T20 format, the team which plays better and holds its nerves better on the match day has more chances of winning the game. Had this been a five-day contest or a 50-over game, we would have been more confident about India. But even a number eight ranked team could easily beat number one team some day (in the T20 format)," Kapil Dev told during a discussion on NDTV.
All eyes on Usman Tariq
Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has joined the chorus labeling India as the clear favorites for the high-stakes clash. During a recent discussion, the 55-year-old emphasized that even a child could see India’s current superiority, praising the "top-class" cricket played by Suryakumar’s side. He pointed to India's relentless dominance in the T20 format as the primary reason for their edge heading into the match.
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However, Basit Ali offered a unique observation regarding the psychological state of the Indian camp. He suggested that despite their favorite status, Indian players and media alike appear uncharacteristically rattled by the emergence of Pakistan's mystery spinner, Usman Tariq. He noted that for the first time in a decade, he senses a palpable pressure on the Indian side caused by a single player, with Tariq becoming a massive talking point before even stepping onto the field against them.
"Even if you ask a five-year-old, he would say India are favorites. They are playing top-class cricket," Basit said.
"For the first time in a decade, I am seeing the Indian players and journalists under pressure because of one guy - Usman Tariq. The match has not even started and he has become famous without even playing," he further stated.