Former South African captain Graeme Smith has dropped a bombshell on the Gautam Gambhir vs Virat Kohli–Rohit Sharma dynamic as the defending champions, India, gear up for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at home, with expectations soaring and pressure building by the day.
Graeme Smith decodes the Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma Dynamic
No team in history has managed to defend a T20 World Cup title, and doing it at home will only make the challenge tougher for the defending champions. Playing in front of passionate home crowds brings massive expectations, and India will feel that pressure from the very first match.
Apart from this challenge, the spotlight is fixed on how the new leadership, involving the head coach, Gautam Gambhir, and captain, Suryakumar Yadav, who are set for their first World Cup as leaders, will deal with the situation without the experience of their iconic leaders, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
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Smith has pointed out that Indian cricket is going through a sensitive transition phase presently, where Gautam Gambhir’s influence and vision, and the role of established leaders like Kohli and Rohit will define their new era. Taking a dig at the relationship between the coach and senior duo, the former Proteas captain felt this phase is a bit tricky for India, but also exciting to watch.
Graeme Smith’s “Interesting Transition” verdict and ICC T20 World Cup 2026 prediction for India
Despite the shifting leadership structure and weight of history and expectations, India are being seen as a strong contenders, as the squad still have talented batters, match-winning bowlers, and depth across departments. And Smith made it clear that if they don’t reach at least the semifinals of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, it would be a big surprise for him.
Graeme Smith said in a select media interaction on the sideline of SA20, as quoted by the Times of India: “Listen, with India’s talent, you can never write them off. It’s a home World Cup. And it does seem an interesting transition phase in Indian cricket, you know, between Gautam Gambhir and senior players and, you know, who’s next and how that transition happens.
And it seems to be in an interesting place. So, it’s going to be good to watch how things go. But certainly, from a talent perspective, India, if they’re not in the last four at least, I’ll be very surprised.”
Graeme Smith wants India vs South Africa Final repeat at ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Meanwhile, Smith wants the repeat of the last edition’s final between India and South Africa this time also. He noted that the Proteas squad has the right mix to challenge the hosts, especially with players capable of handling spin-heavy conditions in India, hoping his national teams flip the script this time on March 8, 2026.
He signed off by saying, “Obviously, I’d like us to beat India in the final, you know (laughs)… I think if Shukri and the team can get their combinations right, I think there’s a real opportunity that the team can do very well. And, you know, I think there’s enough quality of ability to play spin there as well in that middle order, particularly in India. So, let’s hope, you know, that there will be a good World Cup around the corner.”
