India's T20 World Cup Victory Sparks Controversy Among Former Players

India's Historic Win and Its Aftermath

India's impressive triumph in the 2026 T20 World Cup final has ignited strong reactions, particularly from international cricket figures. Notably, former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar criticized India's dominance, suggesting it has negatively impacted the sport. In the final held at the Narendra Modi Stadium, India secured a remarkable 96-run victory over New Zealand, marking their third T20 World Cup title. During an appearance on the Tapmad show Game On Hai, Akhtar likened India's position to that of a 'wealthy child' monopolizing a neighborhood game, despite widespread praise from cricket analysts for India's performance. He stated, 'It’s like when there’s one rich kid in a neighborhood who calls all the poor kids and says, ‘Come, let’s play cricket.’ That’s exactly what India is doing with us. Out of eight teams, they keep four, and out of those four they call three again and move forward, and then they say, ‘See, I’ve won.’ They have ruined cricket entirely.'

Akhtar's remarks triggered a flurry of discussions online, with many fans labeling his comments as bitter. Interestingly, prior to the final, he had expressed a desire for New Zealand to win, stating it would be beneficial for cricket, even while recognizing India as the favorites. 'I feel New Zealand might be bogged down in front of India, but India also has the pressure of 1.5 billion people. They have already lost a match in the World Cup final to Australia in Ahmedabad. I see India as the winner out of all this, but for cricket's sake, it's high time New Zealand won this World Cup,' he had remarked.

Despite his critical stance, Akhtar acknowledged the role of India's head coach Gautam Gambhir, praising his support for players during challenging times, which can be crucial in high-stakes competitions. Following India's victory, Akhtar wasn't the only former Pakistani cricketer to voice controversial opinions. Mohammad Amir, during the Pakistan cricket talk show Harna Mana Hai, also shared an unexpected perspective, attributing part of India's success to New Zealand's bowlers, who he felt failed to apply sufficient pressure. These comments have added another layer to the discussions surrounding India's decisive championship win, with many fans and analysts emphasizing that the victory stemmed from consistent performances throughout the tournament.