“We Have the Team”: Irfan Pathan & Varun Aaron Back India for Historic T20 World Cup Defence
In the volatile world of T20 cricket, consistency is the rarest commodity. Since the inception of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007, no team has ever successfully defended their title. It is a curse that has plagued the giants of the game for nearly two decades.
But as the clock ticks down to February 7, 2026, the belief is growing that this Indian team, led by the dynamic Suryakumar Yadav, is finally equipped to rewrite history.
With the tournament returning to the subcontinent and India kicking off their campaign at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, former cricketers have come forward to voice their overwhelming support. Speaking exclusively to JioHotstar, former Indian pacers Irfan Pathan and Varun Aaron have issued a rallying cry, asserting that the “Men in Blue” have both the depth and the home advantage required to keep the trophy in India.
The “Back-to-Back” Dream: Irfan Pathan’s Verdict
Irfan Pathan, a man who knows exactly what it takes to win a T20 World Cup having been part of the inaugural 2007 triumph, believes the current squad is special.
The roadmap for India is clear, but the path is unbeaten. Teams like the West Indies and England have won the trophy twice, but never in consecutive editions. Pathan acknowledges the magnitude of the task but insists that the squad selected by the BCCI on December 20, 2025, ticks every tactical box.
“Can we defend the T20 World Cup? It has never happened before, but we have the team to defend the title,” Pathan stated with conviction. “If we win it back-to-back, for me, nothing can be better than that.”
Pathan’s confidence likely stems from the team’s evolution under Suryakumar Yadav. Unlike previous years where India was criticized for being too conservative, Yadav’s leadership has instilled a fearless, “attack-at-all-costs” philosophy that mirrors the demands of modern T20 cricket.
The Fortress Factor: Winning at Home
While Pathan focused on the quality of the squad, former speedster Varun Aaron emphasized the emotional and tactical advantage of playing at home.
The 2026 T20 World Cup will be played across venues in India and Sri Lanka, but India’s crucial matches—including the opener against the USA—will be on familiar turf. Aaron drew an inspiring parallel to the Indian Women’s team, who recently captured the nation’s imagination by winning the 50-over World Cup.
“If India wins a T20 World Cup at home, that would be so much more special,” Aaron remarked. “Obviously, winning a World Cup is a huge achievement. But then winning it at home, just like the women just won the 50-over World Cup, it will be really special if they win it at home.”
The “Home Advantage” in T20s is a double-edged sword. While the crowd support at venues like Wankhede and Eden Gardens acts as a 12th man, the pressure can be suffocating. However, Aaron believes this group of players, hardened by the intensity of the IPL, thrives in such cauldrons.
The Roadmap: Group A and The Opener
The journey to immortality begins on February 7.
India finds themselves in Group A, a group that offers a mix of associate challenges and high-voltage rivalries.
- India
- Pakistan
- USA
- Netherlands
- Namibia
The campaign opener against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium is expected to be a celebration of cricket. While the USA is an emerging force, India will look to use the match to make a massive statement of intent. The real test, of course, will be the blockbuster clash against arch-rivals Pakistan, a fixture that defines the group stage.
The Legacy of 2024: Shoes to Fill
To understand the weight of expectation on Suryakumar Yadav’s shoulders, one must look back at the glory of 2024.
That tournament in the West Indies and USA ended an 11-year ICC trophy drought for India. The final against South Africa in Barbados remains etched in memory—a nail-biting seven-run victory orchestrated by the old guard.
- Virat Kohli anchored the ship with a Player of the Match performance (76 runs).
- Jasprit Bumrah was declared Player of the Tournament for his unplayable bowling.
- Rohit Sharma lifted the trophy and walked into the sunset of T20 retirement.
Now, the baton has passed. With Kohli and Rohit no longer in the T20I setup, the 2026 campaign is the first true test of “New India.” It is up to stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, and Hardik Pandya to prove that the 2024 win was not an end, but a beginning.
Conclusion: Destiny Awaits in Mumbai
As the teams descend on the subcontinent, the narrative is set. Can India do the impossible? Can they become the first team in history to defend the T20 World Cup?
For legends like Irfan Pathan and Varun Aaron, the answer is a resounding “Yes.” The squad is ready, the fans are waiting, and on February 7, the Wankhede will roar.
The title defense is on.
