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India are all set to defend the T20 World Cup title, having won the previous edition in 2024 under Rohit Sharma's captaincy. The Men in Blue have not lost a T20I series since Suryakumar Yadav took charge in mid-2024. They are the favourites to win the T20 World Cup and become the first team to retain the coveted title.

1983 World Cup winner Kris Srikkanth predicted that the 2021 T20 World Cup champions, Australia, would meet India in the final on March 9 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Srikkanth also picked three teams apart from India who are likely to make it to the semi-finals of the 2026 T20 World Cup. He went with two-time champions England, last edition's runners-up South Africa, and Australia.

"I think India, England, South Africa, and Australia will play the semifinals. I think the finals should be between India and Australia. They will be the closest competitor to India. If these two play the final, it will be deadly," he said on 'Cheeky Cheeka'.

Srikkanth opined that Australia's strength lies in their batting department and the presence of talented all-rounders. However, he wasn't too confident about Australia's bowling attack, especially with the likes of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc unavailable for selection for different reasons.

"Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Tim David, Maxwell, and Green. If any two of these five getting going, they have a powerhouse batting just like India, in all fairness. But there is no scope in their bowling. Having many all-rounders is their biggest advantage. But with no Hazlewood, all the others will get hit in India. Zampa and Hazlewood are brilliant. There is no one else who is a gun bowler. Batting and all-rounders is their biggest strength. They can put up 200. But whether they can defend 200 or chase 200 consistently is a question," he stated.

The Aussies find themselves in Group B, clubbed with Sri Lanka, Oman, Ireland, and Zimbabwe. Marsh and Co. start their campaign on Wednesday, February 11, against Ireland in Colombo.