T20 World Cup Salaam Cricket Highlights: India firm favourites, say Gavaskar, Chahal, Atul Wasan disagrees

"India and New Zealand will play the final and New Zealand will win the World Cup," says Atul Wassan.

"If Pakistan are not playing we can't do much. In cricket, no one is indispensable. If Nicholas Pooran were playing then West Indies would've been even stronger."

"Terrorist attack on Sri Lanka team bus in Pakistan in 2009 affected them badly. Since then, Pakistan couldn't play big teams at their home which led to deterioration of their cricket."

"India is the boss of world cricket. We generate the most revenue and will win more trophies in the coming years. Pakistan are only harming their cricket. Pakistan won't grow if they don't play against big teams like India. They can only make a statement through their performance on the field"

"Left hand-right hand is cliched in modern day cricket. We can't have a fix XI in the mind as well and need to update as per the opposition and pitch. India need to keep themselves flexible and even need to go on intuition at times."

Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has floated an interesting idea to reduce the element of chance in T20 World Cups, suggesting that the final should be played as a best-of-three series.

Speaking during a discussion, Wassan admitted the proposal may sound unusual but argued that a single match does not always identify the best team in the shortest format. “In a tournament as big as the World Cup, especially in T20 cricket, one bad day can undo a month of hard work,” he said.

Wassan pointed out that after teams spend nearly a month in the competition and navigate tough group stages and knockouts, the title is decided by just one game. “An underdog can always win in this format. A good team can lose,” he said.

He added that a best-of-three final would truly settle the debate over who deserves to be world champions. “If teams have reached the semi-finals and final, they have already proven themselves. Playing three extra days should not be a problem,” Wassan said, adding that it would ensure the most deserving team lifts the trophy.

Former India cricketer Madan Lal believes the Indian team has a strong chance of winning the T20 World Cup, praising the side’s balance and form across departments.

“We are playing some tremendous cricket,” Madan Lal said. “If you analyse our team from top to bottom, it’s a very strong all-round side. We have great batsmen, good bowlers, and we are also a very good fielding team.”

Highlighting India’s recent display against New Zealand, he added, “Against New Zealand, we fielded very well, and that makes a big difference in T20 cricket.”

Madan Lal, however, cautioned against taking the format lightly. “T20 cricket is very difficult to predict,” he said. “Yes, we are among the favourites, but there are very strong teams as well.”

He named Australia, England and South Africa as major contenders, while stressing Australia’s pedigree. “You can never underestimate Australia. The attitude they have in World Cups is different. They have won it many times.”

Admitting he misread India’s chances in the past, Madan Lal sounded confident this time. “I made a mistake the time before last,” he said. “But this time, I definitely feel we have a chance of winning the World Cup.”

They are the favourites, and strong favourites at that, because of the way India has been playing T20 cricket for the past couple of years.  If you look at their record, both at home and overseas, their T20 record is excellent. That's why I think they look like a complete team, and not only are they a complete team, but they have so many options and replacements. Even if someone gets injured at the last minute, on the morning of the match, or if someone has a headache or an upset stomach and needs to be replaced, there are players ready who can step in and score runs or take wickets. So, I think it's because of this complete team that India is a very, very strong favourite.

The final session for the day is now underway. We have the likes of Sunil Gavaskar, Mohit Sharma, and Yuzuvendra Chahal, Madan Lal and Atul Wassan on stage in conversation with Nikhil Naz and Vikrant Gupta.

"It doesn't affect me much if trolling is me, but if you link your someone's name with me it hurts me. I don't pay much heed to it."

"It doesn't affect me much. I want to play for five-six more years for India. I will continue playing until being in the field makes me happy. The day I stop feeling, I will retire from cricket."

"The pressure is always high during World Cup. Several players have tasted victory in the previous edition as well. India can only lose on its own, no other team has the ability to beat them."

"We felt that Heinrich Klaasen would finish the match in 12 balls in T20 World Cup 2024 final. When Hardik dismissed him, we knew we have a chance. Winning that World Cup is the best feeling of my life. The entire nation must've cried after that win. Siraj had already started crying when South Africa required 30 runs off 30 balls. Players cried even during 2019 World Cup semi final."

"Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma have brought fearless mindset to the team. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya will make huge difference. Bumrah is the world number one bowler Hardik's all-round skills makes him irreplaceble"

"Players have to go, no one can play all their life. The team looks in good rhythm and the lack of experience isn't showing in their performance. Hardik, Bumrah and Suryakumar are all full of experience."

"Captaincy doesn't make much of a difference. Players only need to focus on themselves and their skills and contributing to the team."

"I will bring Kuldeep Yadav in playing XI. India can play three spinners in T20 World Cup on some wickets. Only make Kuldeep play if you plan to play him long term. You can play three spinners against Pakistan."

"Shivam Dube is India's unsung hero. He's doing his job silently and consistently performing with bat and ball."

"Virat and Rohit will definitely play the ODI World Cup 2027. They've been performing well. Even if the ODI are six months later, they will continue practising and stay in touch with the game. Their experience is of utmost importance to the team."

"Kapil Dev was the better captain, because he sowed the seeds of India's 1985 World Championship of Cricket. He showed the team how the 50-over cricket is played"

Sometimes you can get a bit complacent or take an easy route to reach the knockout phase. And that’s why, because you have a captain like Suryakumar Yadav, he can guide the batters on what to do. For example, if you have Axar Patel ready to bat at No. 6 or 7, and Shivam Dube ready at 7, the openers or the No. 3 batter might sometimes think, “There’s someone waiting below; it’s a 20-over match, we can take risks.”

Most people will still enter T20 matches one or two players will do the job. Don’t just rely on them—watch and play instead. The point is, don’t get too comfortable thinking, “Oh, I have a long batting order in the first three or four overs, I can do anything.” You shouldn’t get complacent because of that.

Otherwise, I don’t think it will be a problem. Even in matches against tough teams like Namibia, it will be good for the Indian team if the games are close and competitive. What I want is for these matches to be meaningful victories, not easy wins—so everyone gets practice, everyone understands their roles, and the team tunes up properly for the knockout matches.

"Today’s young batters play with immense confidence. We recently saw this against Afghanistan in a 50-over match—Afghanistan scored 310, and India chased it down in just 41 overs. At one stage, it looked like they could finish it in 35 overs. This kind of belief among young players makes you feel that even 300 or 350 runs are achievable now."

"When you see even Under-19 players performing like this, it’s clear that the future of Indian cricket is extremely bright." 

You’ve seen how smart Suryakumar Yadav is as a captain. The way he gave Rinku Singh two overs that day, and Rinku picked up a wicket immediately, shows his sharp judgement. A captain always thinks ahead—who to bowl in the 19th and 20th overs, from which end, considering the wind, boundary sizes, and the opposition’s batters at No. 5, 6 and 7, whether they’re right- or left-handers.

Suryakumar’s decision-making is consistently sharp. He brings in Arshdeep, Bumrah or even Hardik at the right moments. The fact that his own batting form is improving is a very positive sign for India. When a captain is scoring runs and taking wickets, it boosts confidence and helps in making tough decisions—like whether to persist with a bowler having an off day or make a change.

The runs Suryakumar scored against New Zealand are a huge positive for India. When you’re not scoring, you hesitate while taking risks, which can affect decision-making. But with confidence, those doubts disappear.

"Not really. When you’re playing regularly, you don’t think about who’s at the other end. A batter’s mindset is to focus only on the ball. The only thing that matters is whether you trust your partner’s judgment—whether you can rely on them for quick singles and decisive running between the wickets. If that trust is there, it doesn’t matter who your partner is."

It won’t be an issue. You may see a slight change in the batting order. If in the first three matches our top four batters play all 20 overs, then players coming in at No. 6 or 7 won’t really get a chance. In that case, for practice, you can send them at No. 3 or No. 4. I feel there could be a bit of experimentation, especially around the match on the 22nd.

If qualification is already sealed by then, you can also give Jasprit Bumrah a bit of rest. Even though he bowls only four overs, keeping him fresh is important. With so many options and alternatives available, there’s really no need to worry.

You might see minor changes in the batting order and occasional tweaks in bowling too. For example, you may not give Hardik Pandya the ball, but instead give Shivam Dube three or even four overs.

If Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma open together, both being left-handers, it could create serious problems for opposition bowlers and captains. If both start hitting from the start in the powerplay, it puts immense pressure on the opposition. Shivam Dube is also an option.

Sanju Samson, if in form, would have been an automatic pick—there’s no doubt about his quality. But when form and luck aren’t on your side, it’s only fair that the player in better form gets the opportunity. That’s why Ishan Kishan would be preferred. Team management may also feel tempted to go aggressive right from the start.

Replacing players like them is never easy. But when you look at the replacements—Abhishek Sharma stepping in for Rohit, Ishan Kishan potentially batting at No. 3 in place of Kohli, and Axar Patel filling Jadeja’s role—they may not be like-for-like, but they are more than adequate replacements based on recent performances.

Fans will definitely miss those three legends, but I don’t think the team will feel the gap as much because the youngsters have largely filled those holes.

"From what we’ve seen, other teams have their own issues. Australia lack proper preparation, with several players struggling with injuries. Pakistan remain unpredictable—either fully on song or completely off it. England, meanwhile, could prove dangerous." 

Sunil Gavaskar is our next guest after Madan Lal, Atul Wassan and Chetan Sharma talked about the India-Pakistan boycott row. 

Bangladesh has elections on the 12th. After that, you’ll see a U-turn. There will be a statement saying, ‘Considering public sentiment, cricket should continue.’ I’ve been a politician; I’ve contested elections. When you’re a cricketer, cricket runs in your blood—when you’re a politician, politics does. After the elections, maybe even the army chief will say that sport should be kept free of politics and the match should go ahead.

As of now, Pakistan hasn’t formally communicated anything to the ICC. Statements mean nothing without official confirmation. Anyone can announce retirement—but unless you submit it officially, nothing changes.

“Varun Chakravarthy should play ahead of Kuldeep Yadav. He has great accuracy, and even top players around the world have found it difficult to pick him.”

“Kishan is in good form, but finding rhythm in T20s is never easy. It’s not like the 50-over format—you need a bit of luck to succeed.”

"T20 World Cup finals should be played as a best-of-three series."

“Predicting outcomes in T20 cricket is extremely difficult. However, if you analyse the team properly, I believe India are currently at a level where they can win this World Cup. The side is very well balanced—there are seven to eight world-class batters, a strong bowling unit, and an effective spin attack.

The biggest positive is that most Indian batters, from the top order to the lower middle order, have strike rates above 150. Even Shivam Dube, who bats at six or seven, has a strike rate of over 150. The bowlers’ economy rates are equally impressive—Jasprit Bumrah operates at around six, while the others are in the seven-to-eight range, which is considered excellent in T20 cricket. A spinner like Varun Chakravarthy also maintains an economy between five and six.

That said, cricket is also about having the day on your side. Sometimes matches slip away in the final two or three overs. So if India want to win the World Cup, they must perform as a team. One player cannot win every game—on some days a batter will step up, on others a bowler.

It’s also unrealistic to expect all five bowlers to fire in every match. Someone will always have an off day, making the contribution of the remaining four crucial. Ultimately, if India are to win the World Cup, bowlers will play the decisive role—because tournaments are often won by bowling attacks.

“Bring Bangladesh back and play the matches in Sri Lanka; exclude Pakistan from the T20 World Cup," jokes Atul Wassan 

“It will make a difference. They have made a bad decision. In Pakistan, no one seems to be thinking clearly. No one is considering the players. People say Pakistan will lose money, but players from other teams will also lose out. They should come, play, and try to win. Refusing to play does not suit the country. If Pakistan do not play, it will be a very wrong decision.”

"After the 2011 World Cup, people said we took revenge for that six of yours. So I started saying—there’s fame even in infamy.”

"Hardik Pandya’s role is extremely important for the balance of this team, both in terms of performance and fitness—because there is always a bit of risk involved with him. I am sure he is fit enough to get through the entire tournament, touchwood, which is crucial. In this format, having an all-rounder is very important, especially a fast-bowling all-rounder like him who can bowl with the new ball.

"That gives you flexibility. If your bowling isn’t going as planned, you can use Jasprit Bumrah in tougher situations because he is your go-to bowler. If runs are leaking, Bumrah can be brought in for a key over, then one in the middle and two at the death. But all of this depends on Hardik being fit. Touchwood, that shouldn’t be an issue—we all have this habit, especially in North India!"

"If he stays fit and plays the entire tournament, it will be a big positive for India."

"As for the four semifinalists, I would pick India, Australia, South Africa and England. New Zealand usually plays very good cricket against us. They haven’t been great in T20s recently, but they often look different in ICC tournaments. Personally, I’d like New Zealand to do well too."

Madan Lal, Atul Wassan and Chetan Sharma will feature next on the show after India’s pace trio shared their views.

"It's not good for the players, they should get to know as early as possible. Every fan has their eyes on it."

We were sitting inside the dressing room when he himself made the announcement, straight from his own mouth, explaining what had happened and saying that he wanted to move forward from there. That’s when I was informed that I would be replacing Ishant.

Because I’ve known him for a long time, I understand how difficult it is to step away from such a big stage, no matter how much cricket you’ve played. No one can really say they’re mature enough to take something like this easily—not at all. No matter how professional or how big a cricketer you become, at the end of the day you’re still human. We have emotions. We feel pain. Maybe we don’t cry in front of ten people, but alone in a room, we do.

So yes, it’s a huge thing. Every person, every player dreams of playing cricket, of playing in a World Cup, and of winning a World Cup for India. These are big dreams, deep patterns.

"Have you seen Dinesh's interview, where he revealed his conversation with Rohit, where he spoke about playing fearlessly to win ICC knockouts. Earlier it was Rohit, now it's Abhishek carrying that tempo for India. In T20I's there's hardly any margin of error for bowlers so batters have to keep going for it."

"Suryakumar is a bowler’s captain, he shows a lot of confidence and belief in his bowlers. He boosts every player’s confidence through his words."

"See, at that time—when Umesh and Shami made their debuts—they were young, so there wasn’t that much clarity. By the time Virat took over the captaincy, both of them were well established. Then you add Bhuvneshwar, and later Bumrah. That’s when we had a complete package—five fast bowlers. The plan was clear: we would rotate them and play Test cricket accordingly. The communication was very clear—if we were playing overseas, these three would play; if we were playing in India, these two fast bowlers would play. Everyone knew their role in advance, and that communication was excellent." 

"I remember we were playing a Test match in Sri Lanka in 2015. Before the second Test, he told me, 'Look, even if you go for 20 runs in five overs, I have no problem. But think about taking two wickets. Don’t just look to contain runs with the new ball.' These small things become very important."

"And if I talk about the present, Mohit—because people say Mohit can become a very good fast-bowling coach after his playing career. I don’t know when that announcement will happen or which team it will be for. I’m not sure about the future, but yes, I’m trying."

"If you want to bat like this, you can't have fear. Everybody is batting in a particular tempo, that tempo maintains regardless of wickets falling, because they know that there is depth," Ishant said at Salaam Cricket. 

"The strength is fearlessness, be it bowling or batting. There is no fear of failure. In a sportsperson's life, if you have fear of failures, there is doubts in your mind."

"At that time, I was a youngster. I was playing only my second or third Test match. I had no idea what the media was saying or what people were talking about. I was just focused on my bowling. The good thing was that I had played a full season of first-class cricket, so I was in rhythm and playing matches continuously."

"That rhythm carried over when we went to Australia. Then that spell happened—and those kinds of spells, if you look at them, are quite normal in first-class cricket because that’s exactly what first-class cricket teaches you: bowling consistently in the same areas."

"When you keep bowling in the same spot again and again, maybe not in one match or two, but by the third match, you get rewarded somewhere along the line. That’s what happened with me—I got that reward in Perth, though not in Sydney."

After the engaging chat with Rishabh Pant, the focus shifts to the second segment of Salaam Cricket, where India’s pace trio Mohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma, and Umesh Yadav will share their insights and opinions on a range of topics.

"I think T20 cricket is always really special because anyone can outplay you on any given day. That’s one trait of T20 cricket — someone can have an outstanding day, and one innings can take the match away from you. In the longer formats, it’s difficult to win a match based on just one innings; it usually takes a lot of contributions. But in T20s, you can have that kind of impact," Pant said. 

"So in T20s, I wouldn’t say just one team. Obviously, two or three teams — Australia and South Africa — I feel can certainly hamper India. But at the same time, India are good enough to deal with any team in the world. So if they play their best cricket, they are definitely going to win."

"Obviously, my brother never made me feel that, “I am Mahendra Singh Dhoni.” I think that’s one of the best traits he has. I’m someone who connects with people on a human level. I try not to think in terms of labels — who is what and who is who. If human values align, that’s where the connection happens." 

"He was someone who clearly understood the pressure I was under when I came into the team. Like I said, there was a transition happening — even for the wicketkeeper. Especially with a guy like Mahi bhai. I used to jokingly tell him many times, “Mahi bhai, was it really necessary for you to become such a legend? Because of you, we have to handle so much pressure!” I’d say it in a funny way." 

"But he’s been amazing — as a mentor, as a brother, as a senior — everything. For us, he’s like family, a home connection. And he was always forthcoming, always supportive of newcomers."

" When he was retiring, I have to tell you — I missed him so much. I used to spend 80 per cent of my time with him when he was in the team. I missed him the most in the dressing room. But learning from him was incredible."

"I think that was one of the most important knocks for me personally. You know, India vs Pakistan is always a big match. Whether you want to take pressure or not, the hype is so intense that you feel it — it gets inside you. Eventually, it’s good for cricket."

"At that time, wickets were falling at the other end. But one thing was clear to us — the pitch was a bit tricky because it was a new wicket. You weren’t going to score 180 or 190 on it because there was a lot of help in the pitch, especially in the first innings. In fact, the assistance was more in the first innings." 

So the focus was simple — score as many runs as possible, whatever was best at that moment. I tried to do that. That innings was actually one of my best, I would say. The runs may not have been very high, but considering the World Cup, the situation, and the fact that it was against Pakistan, it mattered a lot. I guess it also helped maintain India’s dominance over Pakistan.

"The first time, obviously, the entire India was watching the match — the whole world was watching. Behind the wicket, you’re constantly analysing, thinking, “The match is slipping away.” Looking at the situation, I’d definitely say that all the prayers of Indians worked — that’s for sure."

"Some people had already left the stadium. They were with me, they walked out thinking the match was over and India had lost. They didn’t see your acting there, sir — but I saw this performance. This is a realistic thing. For the last two or three overs, this was going on in my mind. I felt the match was going away because quick runs were coming regularly in those overs. So I started thinking, “What can Rishabh do here?” That’s how a keeper’s mind works — how can I contribute something?" 

"I thought about trying to slow the game down. Then I realised it’s a World Cup final. You’re scared to try something like this in international cricket — like you said, there’s stress everywhere. Every decision you make, you have to be sure it’s in the best interest of the team, and you have to trust that what you’re doing is right. Because if it backfires, you know the whole world turns against you."

"This kept running in my head for two or three overs. Then a point came when I thought, “If we lose the World Cup, there shouldn’t be a regret later that I didn’t even try from my side.” So I decided — let’s see what happens, next over, sit down.

"I called him and asked what happened. I said, “Take your time.” Yogi bhai came as well. I told him, “Take full time — you understand, right?” He said yes and took his time calmly. Rohit bhai and the rest of the team didn’t know about this. This was just my own thought process because you’re trying to do whatever best you can from your side."

"See, definitely — yes. Because I feel we have all kinds of variety. One fast bowler in our team, I feel, doesn’t get talked about enough and doesn’t get the credit he deserves — that is Arshdeep Singh. That guy gives his absolute everything and performs whenever he gets the chance. Most of the time, he does well."

"He doesn’t play very regularly because of team combinations and trying different options, but all credit to him. As a bowler or as a player, the one thing you want to see is whether he’s brave at heart. I think Arshdeep is someone who says, 'I’ll do it for the team,' day in and day out — whether it’s the IPL, India, or any format where he gets a chance." 

"He’s amazing. That’s why he’s also India’s highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket. Bowlers do get credit, but more than that, bowlers put their lives on the line and perform. At the same time, bowlers also need support. They need help from their wicketkeeper."

"I think the key is not thinking about it too much and not dwelling on it. There’s one really good line I learned from Rahul (Dravid) bhai. He always told me one thing: “Rishabh, no matter what happens, try to be the same person when you score a hundred and when you score a zero.” I think, as an athlete, that’s the hardest thing to do — to remain who you are."

"Emotions sometimes get the better of you, but at the same time, that line always stays with me. So personally, I try that — whether I score zero or a hundred, I want to be the same guy. Maybe when I get out, it hurts more. I don’t enjoy scoring runs as much as I feel the pain of getting out," 

"He is not limited to being a captain. When you are a leader, you have to build a one on one connection. You can call him at anytime."

"One big thing, especially in T20 cricket, is freedom. Everyone wants to play with a different kind of freedom now — something that was never heard of in Indian cricket earlier. But the way the team plays now is because the game itself is evolving. With the game, you have to evolve yourself. That’s the thought process — you don’t want to be behind the game."

"Even now, one-day cricket is evolving. Earlier, 250, 260, or even 300 was considered a safe score. But now, even 300 is not safe. Cricket is evolving, and players need to evolve as cricketers and as human beings along with it." 

"Slowly, I think this team is obviously playing fearless cricket, playing with freedom, and playing some outstanding cricket. I personally wish them all the love, and obviously, they have the support of the entire country — not just people living in India. Wherever you go in the world, you find Indians, and the support is always there." 

"Going in the current for, it is Abhishek Sharma. He is so consistent. Even in the IPL, he has maintained his peak, which means that his process works, and he is backing it up with belief. Every day cannot be tukka."

On fear of failure and dealing with criticism

"Don't think about that too much. One thing that Rahul (Dravid) bhaji told me 'Rishabh, be the same person when you score a hundred or a zero.' I want to be that guy. Yes I feel hurt when I get out."

Rishabh Pant says that he got a lot of confidence from his first season in the Indian Premier League.

"When you play against Pat Cummins, Rabada, Shami, Coultner-Nile and hit them for runs, you gain a lot of confidence."

"Everyone knows that in the Indian ODI team, a transition is going on. And it is up to us how smooth we make it. Look at the T20 side, the way they play, it was unheard of. Why did they have to do that? Because the game was evolving," Pant said on the Indian team.

"The team is playing crazy. I wish them all the luck," Pant concluded.

"Obviously, nothing came to my mind except the pain. When I went to the hospital, there were discussions about this and that. It was a very crucial stage of the match, especially in the first innings. In the second innings, the team played amazing cricket and came back into the game. As a team, we made that comeback, but in the first innings, we were behind the game," Pant said. 

"The discussion was mainly about what it felt like. We spoke among ourselves, and we knew it was a full fracture — my last finger had completely snapped. There was a big gap, so the decision was about what the worst-case scenario could be. The doctor said the worst scenario would be surgery, and it might take three to four extra weeks. That was the worst that could happen." 

"But in my mind, that scenario came later. First, it was important to either win or save the match for India. I’m someone who doesn’t think too much about the future. Like I’ve said before, no matter how much planning you do — six months ahead, one year ahead — you never know what’s going to happen even in the next hour. So in my mind, it was clear: it doesn’t matter, I have to be on the field no matter what, especially when the chips are down," Pant added. 

"One thing is certain — India wouldn’t lose in the same way. As a cricketer, I believe what’s right is right. That team deserves all the respect. What has happened can’t be changed. We don’t dwell too much on the past — whether it was good or bad. We learn from it and move on to the next one. That’s how I look at cricket, at least from my side. I won’t emphasise it too much, but obviously, if I had been there, I would have made a difference." 

"Right now, I’ll have to enjoy it by watching. There aren’t too many options. You know, I’m still in the recovery phase, coming back from injury, so I’ll think about these things when I get time. Because sometimes, when you’re injured and spending time with yourself, you really have two options. Either you keep thinking, 'Why does this keep happening to me?' or 'This went wrong, that went wrong,' or you take it positively and say, 'This is what it is now, and I have to work hard from here.' No matter where you are, you still have to work every day. From here, whatever best I can do, I’ll try to do that."

Rishabh Pant is our first guest, as he returns to the India Today office after eight years.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again reiterated that the country’s senior men’s national cricket team will not face India during the group stages of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

"We have taken a very clear stand on the T20 World Cup that we won't play the match against India because there should be no politics on the sports field," Sharif said.

"We have taken a very considered stance, and we should completely stand by Bangladesh, and I think this is a very appropriate decision. We are with Bangladesh," he added.

We are all set for Salaam Cricket, Aaj Tak’s flagship annual cricket conclave that brings together legendary players, selectors, coaches, and experts for sharp, insightful discussions.

 This edition will focus heavily on the T20 World Cup, with former India greats Sunil Gavaskar, Suresh Raina, and other experts sharing their views on team strategies and key players.

A major talking point will be Pakistan’s reported boycott of a potential India clash, sparking intense debate and analysis.