Viv Richards, the legendary West Indies cricketer, has commended India’s exceptional performance in white-ball cricket, noting that they have taken the game to new heights. Reflecting on India’s recent success in global tournaments, Richards specifically pointed to their victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where they displayed remarkable dominance.
India triumphed over New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, securing the title. Under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, the team made history as the first to defend a T20 World Cup crown and the first host nation to win the tournament.
In an interview with PTI, Richards mentioned that India’s rise in limited-overs cricket reminded him of the dominance the West Indies once had in the format.
“In my view, India have elevated the game to a whole new level, especially in limited-overs formats like ODIs and T20s,” Richards said.
“It’s a wonderful gift for the fans, given the love and passion they have for the game. I believe the outcome was deserving,” he continued.
He drew comparisons between the current Indian team’s success and the early years of West Indies’ dominance in limited-overs cricket.
“We claimed the first World Cup in 1975 and then again in 1979. Cricket played a major role in shaping our identity. Those who supported the West Indies teams of the past will undoubtedly cherish the unforgettable moments we experienced.”
India also won the ICC Champions Trophy last year.
Their T20 World Cup campaign kicked off with convincing wins against the Netherlands and Namibia in the group stage.
However, India’s momentum was briefly halted during the Super Eight stage when they suffered a heavy 76-run loss to South Africa. Despite this setback, the team bounced back with determination.
One of the defining moments of their journey came when Sanju Samson scored an unbeaten 97 against the West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, keeping India’s title hopes alive.
In a thrilling semi-final, India managed to overcome England by 7 runs after posting 253/7, with Samson contributing 89 runs to the total.
The final saw India produce one of their best performances of the tournament, accumulating 255/5 before cruising to a massive victory over New Zealand.
Looking ahead, with the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup set to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, India now have the opportunity to make history by holding all three ICC limited-overs titles at once.
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