Uthappa, Pathan back red-hot India to end Men's T20 World Cup jinx: 'We’ve broken the host curse before'

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has witnessed a pattern in the 18 years that have gone by ever since it first came into existence – which is that a host nation is yet to win the tournament. Sri Lanka had come close in 2012, losing to West Indies by 36 runs in the final in Colombo.

Four years later, India were solid favourites to lift the title on home soil, only to bow out in the semis – with eventual champions West Indies also responsible for shattering their hopes.

The Men in Blue, however, enter the 2026 T20 World Cup not just as the hosts but also as the defending champions – a first in the history of the prestigious tournament. And according to former India batter Robin Uthappa, the current Indian T20I team led by Suryakumar Yadav have what it takes to break the curse early next year.

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Uthappa emphasises on camaraderie and sheer collective desire

Uthappa, who was part of the MS Dhoni-led Indian team that won the inaugural edition of the multi-nation tournament in 2007, further cited how the Men in Blue had broken a similar curse in ODI World Cup in 2011.

“We’ve broken the host curse before, with the Women’s World Cup, and I believe India can do it again. It’s possible when everything aligns: team unity, playing for each other, building camaraderie during the tournament, and sheer collective desire to win,” Uthappa said in response to a query from Firstpost on the ‘JioStar Press Room’.

Sri Lanka had co-hosted the 1996 edition of the tournament, but had lifted the trophy that took place in Lahore, while the Indian team had ended a 28-year wait for another ODI world title in Mumbai.

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The Indian team, meanwhile, have been on a roll in the shortest format over the last two years. Not only did they win the T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA last year, which lifted an 11-year curse for India in ICC events, they have also been on a roll ever since Suryakumar Yadav took over as India captain.

India have won 29 out of the 38 T20Is that they have played under SKY’s leadership since July last year, which includes a couple of Super Over wins against Sri Lanka, and had recently won the Asia Cup in the UAE by winning all seven matches that it played, three of them against arch-rivals Pakistan.

‘This Indian team is extremely strong in terms of quality and depth’

Fellow JioStar expert Irfan Pathan agreed with Uthappa’s statement, saying that the current side have a “great chance to defend the title” in the 10th edition of the tournament that will be taking place from 7 February to 8 March.

“This Indian team is extremely strong in terms of quality and depth, with multiple players competing hard for every spot. Compared to past eras, the options are far better, which is why India has a great chance to defend the title. There will always be a few concerns with any side, including this one, but if this team executes its skills to potential, it will be very difficult to stop India from retaining the T20 World Cup,” the former India seam-bowling all-rounder said.

The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee meanwhile, will be unveiling India's squad for the T20 World Cup on Saturday, 20 December – 50 days before the tournament gets underway – at the BCCI’s headquarters in Mumbai.