T20 World Cup: India favourites, Afghanistan among four semi-finalists, says Harbhajan

With the ICC T20 World Cup round the corner, the buzz has already started and the air is filled with the speculations of the probable winners.

Most of the former players and cricket experts are betting on the defending champions and the co-host India.

Joining the opinion, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh threw his weight behind the hosts as favourites to defend the title at home soil.

The 2026 World Cup, starting on Feb.7, 2026 will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India. The showpiece event will feature 20 teams with the UAE and Italy joining the big boys in the cricketing extravaganza.

"I think India has a very good chance to win the world Cup because they are a very strong team and they are playing at home.

"They know the conditions better than anybody else. But the World Cup pressure is something which they need to handle better than the others, which is the most important thing.

"I think Australia have always been a very good team and top contenders to win any cup. South Africa are the other contenders for the title with their current form.  They have been playing  some outstanding cricket of late.

"Afghanistan are also very strong with their spinners. I think they can beat anyone in these conditions. So these are my four picks for the semis," said Harbhajan. He was speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the Legends 90s Season Four in Dubai.

Talking about the key players and the outstanding performers at the World Cup he said: "I think there are going to be quite a few and it is difficult to pick one or two.

But Abhishek Sharma will be a key player in the World Cup to look out for. Hardik Pandya is someone who can win games on his own. Suryakumar Yadav also, even though he did not get runs in the recent past but his time will come," he added.

"In the bowling department, we have an unbelievable line-up. We have got Bumrah, we have got Arshdeep.On any given day, if four to five guys perform then Team India is going to be at the top. I will not be able to pick one player but many because all of them are match winners," stressed the off spinner.

Speaking on the exclusion of Shubman Gill, the captain of the Test team, Harbhajan said that he is confident that the right-hander will make a return to the fold soon.

Gill is one of the most prolific batsmen and has been a main pillar of the Indian batting line-up across all the formats. But his poor form in the shortest format has led to his axing for the World Cup.

"It is not any signal for Gill. He was not taking his place for granted but the competition is so much that they have got so many players, who can fill slots and do well for the team.  It is not the end of the road for him. He is a great player with beautiful technique. I think he will make a brilliant comeback and we should not forget that he is still the Test captain.

Former South African all-rounder JP Duminy also picked South Africa as his favourite with India being the other top contenders. South Africa have the reputation of choking in the big games. They won the World Test Championship to lift their first ICC title.

"I think South Africa will have to win some ICC titles in the shorter formats to shed the tag. They have to prove themselves   

Meanwhile, building on the success of its first three seasons, the Legends 90 League (L90) officially unveiled Season 4 at a grand launch ceremony held on Monday at Shangri-La Dubai.

The launch event was graced by renowned international cricketing stars Harbhajan Singh, JP Duminy, and James Vince, along with league officials, team representatives, partners, and members of the media.

A key highlight of the event was the unveiling of the official team jerseys and the Legends 90 League Season 4 trophy, symbolising the league’s growing stature and its continued commitment to delivering world-class cricketing entertainment to fans across the globe.

Sharing his thoughts at the launch, former Indian spinner and World Cup winner Harbhajan said, “The Legends 90 League has carved out a unique space in world cricket by bringing together iconic players in an exciting and innovative format. It’s encouraging to see how the league has grown over the years, and Season 4 promises to be even bigger and better for fans.”

Former South Africa all-rounder JP Duminy highlighted the competitive appeal of the format, saying, "What makes Legends 90 League special is the intensity packed into a short format. The 90-ball concept keeps the game fast, aggressive and entertaining, while still allowing experienced

players to showcase their skills at the highest level."

Echoing similar sentiments, England batter James Vince added, "This league strikes a great balance between nostalgia and modern cricket. Fans get to see legendary names alongside current stars, and the energy around Legends 90 League is something truly exciting."

Over the past three seasons, the Legends 90 League has featured some of the biggest names in world cricket, including Yuvraj Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, and Chris Gayle, captivating audiences with high-quality performances and competitive matches.

Speaking on the occasion, Shivain Sharma, Director of the Legends 90 League, said, “Over the last three seasons, our focus has been on building a credible, competitive, and fan-first cricketing property.

Legends 90 League was conceived to celebrate the legacy of the game while presenting it in a modern, high-energy format. Season 4 marks an important step in that journey as we continue to strengthen the league’s on-field quality, global appeal, and long-term vision.”

The fourth season of the Legends 90 League is scheduled to be played in March 2026 and will once again bring together legendary international cricketers and modern stars in its fast-paced 90-ball format, promising high-intensity action and a memorable experience for cricket fans worldwide.