What happens after you touch the summit? That question has stalked Indian cricket before, and as the 2026 T20 World Cup approaches, it returns with quiet insistence. India arrives as defending champions after their flawless 2024 triumph, but history offers a warning. The last two times India won a World Cup, the immediate aftermath told a less flattering story.

When glory turned fragile

India’s T20 journey began with euphoria in 2007. A young side stunned the world in Johannesburg, edging past PAK in a final that still lives in memory. Yet the very next T20 World Cup, in England in 2009, brought a sharp descent. Wins over Bangladesh and Ireland raised hopes, only for India to lose 3 straight Super 8 matches and bow out early. Momentum evaporated almost overnight.

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The pattern repeated after the 2011 ODI World Cup. On the heels of a home triumph, India entered the 2012 T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka as favourites. Again, the start was promising. Afghanistan and England were brushed aside, including a thumping 90-run win.

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But a heavy loss to Australia proved costly. Despite beating PAK and South Africa, India failed to reach the semi-finals on net run rate. Another campaign undone not by lack of talent, but by narrow margins and missed moments.

What makes 2026 feel different?

This time, the backdrop is noticeably stronger. India’s 2024 T20 World Cup win was not a scrappy surge but a statement. Unbeaten through the tournament, they controlled games rather than chased them. Jasprit Bumrah led the bowling charts for India, the batting unit showed depth, and the team rarely looked rattled.

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Since then, form has followed confidence. Abhishek Sharma’s fearlessness at the top has added early momentum, while Sanju Samson has finally begun to marry talent with consistency in the middle order. Rinku Singh’s late-overs calm has turned pressure situations into opportunities, and Arshdeep Singh has emerged as a reliable wicket-taker across phases, especially when margins are thin. Together, they reflect a side that is no longer dependent on one or two pillars.

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The recent series win against South Africa marked India’s 9th consecutive bilateral series victory at home. That sequence pushed them past Australia’s long-standing record of eight straight home series wins. It is also a reminder that this is not a fleeting peak. India already occupies third place on that same list with another run of seven, underlining sustained dominance.

The real test ahead

Yet World Cups do not reward comfort. The scars of 2009 and 2012 were not about ability but about managing expectations after success. That remains the final hurdle.