T20 World Cup: India’s third successive white-ball Trophy win proves the rest of the world needs to catch up

The task of the rest of the world is to plug the huge gap that India has built at the top of the T20 game.

For one thing, the three-time champions, the first men’s team to defend a T20 title and the first to win it at home, are looking to have everything go their way.

A young team, talent groomed in the Indian Premier League and the benefits of the money the tournament provides, all while taking a bigger share of the international game’s revenue than anyone else.

Winning the T20 World Cup in 2024 ended a 13-year wait for the title and provided impeccable confidence.

India have lost just two of their 34 matches in the last four global white-ball events. Catching them will not be an easy task.

But, even though they have been here for the past two weeks, the rest will have to look to the more difficult moments of this tournament.

West Indies dropped two goals in their defeat to India. Harry defeated Brooke Sansom in the semi-finals. Things could have been different, or at least that’s the hope.

Global events over the past three years have gone well for India.

It started with a 2023 home tournament, which they were supposed to win, before more slow-burning venues in the Caribbean in 2024.

Next came the Champions Trophy where all their matches were played in Dubai and then the event was hosted at home and in Sri Lanka.

The cricket calendar is now moving away from the Indian subcontinent, with the next 50-over World Cup taking place in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa in 2027. The pitches there will provide speed and bounce.

Next, Australia and New Zealand will host the 2028 T20 World Cup, where fast bowlers will once again be key.

More depth must be found behind Bumrah, while recent struggles in Test cricket – with India losing at home to South Africa and New Zealand in the last two years – will require some focus.

Between the next two World Cups, the 2028 Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles, which will be held in a T20 format. It’s already happening in the players’ minds.

“Definitely the next target is an Olympic gold medal and the next T20 World Cup,” Suryakumar said.

“Since 2024, the way we have played, we have won three ICC titles in a row and have not looked back.

“We want to keep doing this in 2027, 2028, 2029 and never stop.”

The rest of the world has been warned.

It’s up to someone to catch India. This is something the game needs.