Former South African captain Graeme Smith has weighed in on the current state of the Indian cricket team, describing it as an "interesting transition phase" under new head coach Gautam Gambhir. However, he firmly believes that despite the changes, India will be among the top contenders for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
India's Transition Phase Under Gambhir
Smith, currently serving as the League Commissioner for SA20, acknowledged the significant shift in Indian cricket following the retirements of stalwarts Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja from T20 Internationals after the 2024 World Cup triumph. The appointment of Gautam Gambhir as head coach, succeeding Rahul Dravid, has marked the beginning of a new era.
"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," Smith told the Times of India. He added that the team seems to be in an "interesting place," making their journey one to watch closely.
Backing India's Talent and Depth
Despite the transitional phase, Smith's confidence in the Indian team remains unshaken, primarily due to the sheer depth of talent in the country. He stated that it would be a major surprise if India does not at least reach the semi-finals of the upcoming tournament.
"Listen, with India's talent, you can never write them off," Smith emphasized. "Certainly from a talent perspective, India, if they're not in the last four at least, I'll be very surprised." This endorsement comes even as India has experienced some unexpected results recently, including shock home series whitewashes against New Zealand and South Africa, despite maintaining overall dominance in T20 cricket.
Hoping for a South Africa vs India Final Rematch
Smith also looked ahead to the potential of a rematch of the thrilling 2024 final, where India narrowly defeated South Africa to win their first ICC trophy in over a decade. While he hopes for a different outcome this time, his respect for India's capabilities is clear.
"Obviously, I'd like us to beat India in the final, you know... I think if Shukri (Conrad) and the team can get their combinations right, I think there's a real opportunity that the team can do very well," Smith said, expressing optimism about South Africa's chances. He pointed out that the Proteas have the quality in their middle order to play spin well in Indian conditions.
The former skipper's comments set the stage for an intriguing build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup, where India will aim to defend their title on home soil amidst a period of significant change, backed by the belief of experts like Graeme Smith in their enduring strength.
