MS Dhoni flags ‘most dangerous’ India's worrying factor in T20 World Cup 2026; ‘I hate dew, it changes a lot of things’

There is no doubt India are one the most dangerous sides going into the T20 World Cup 2026, which starts in three day's time. Ranked no.1 in the world, the defending champions are coming into the tournament on the back of a 4-1 hammering of New Zealand recently, that included a score of 271 in the fifth and final game of the series in Thiruvananthapuram.

But for 2007 T20 World Cup-winning former Indian captain MS Dhoni, the major concern for Suryakumar Yadav's men would be the dew factor at home. The T20 World Cup 2026 is being played across eight venues in India (five) and Sri Lanka (three).

Put in Group A, India will play their group stage matches at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai (vs USA, February 7), at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi (vs Namibia, February 12), at Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo (vs Pakistan, February 15) and at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad (vs Netherlands, February 18).

Speaking at a private event, Dhoni called India as one of the "most dangerous teams", but highlight the concerning factor, that he himself was scared about during his playing days. “What worries me again, I hate dew. Dew changes a lot of things," Dhoni said.

"So even when I was playing something that really scared me was dew where the toss becomes crucial and all of that. “If you are playing 10 matches with some of the best teams, we will come out as winners more often than not if the conditions remain, condition is neutral and all of that,” added the only captain to win three ICC titles.

The month of February marks the end of winter, thus bringing in low temperatures in the evening that helps in the formation of dew. Certainly, dew will play a big factor on all the Indian venues.

"It's one of the most dangerous teams. But what all is needed in a good team and everything is there. They have the experience. Especially when it comes to this format, the experience is vast. They have played under pressure. Whoever is playing, whatever roles they are playing in the team, they have been in that situation for a considerable period of time,” he said.