'India on different level in white-ball cricket': Viv Richards
What's the story
West Indies cricket legend Viv Richards has hailed the Indian cricket team's dominance in the white-ball formats. The praise comes after India won the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. Under Suryakumar Yadav, India beat New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium. Notably, India became the first side to defend their T20 World Cup title. They are also the first-ever host nation to win it.
Comparison
Here's what Richards said
Richards, speaking to PTI, said that India's rise in limited-overs cricket is similar to the dominance the West Indies once enjoyed. He said, "India have taken the game, in my opinion, to a different level, more so in the limited overs - the ODIs and T20Is." He added that this is a great gift for the fans, given their love and passion for cricket.
History
India defend T20 World Cup title
India, dubbed as the favorites for the 2026 T20 World Cup, rightly reigned supreme. With a revamped approach, India became the first side to defend their T20 World Cup title. No host nation had won the tournament before. India's only defeat in the tournament came at the hands of South Africa (Super Eights). They won eight of their nine matches.
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Dominance in ICC white-ball tournaments since 2023
According to Cricbuzz, India have won 31 of their 33 matches in the ICC white-ball tournaments since the start of 2023. Notably, India hadn't won a single ICC title for over a decade (2013-2024).
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India eye this treble
India can now become the first side to hold all three ICC white-ball trophies together (T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy, and ODI World Cup). The ODI World Cup is scheduled next year in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.