Not Team India, Sunil Gavaskar picks these teams to win T20 World Cup 2026

 

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 has taken a different direction as the tournament is filled full of chaos and suspense. Till now, South Africa and England are the only teams who qualified for the semi-finals of the tournament. While Zimbabwe and the co-hosts, Sri Lanka, were eliminated from the contest due to their poor performances in the important games.

Sunil Gavaskar picks his favourites to win T20 World Cup 2026

Ahead of the important match between England and New Zealand on March 27 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Former Indian star player and one of the greatest batters of all time, Sunil Gavaskar predicts his favorite side to win the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

During a discussion on India Today, Gavaskar opened up about his top two teams to win the tournament. "For me, the two favorites are South Africa and England. England might have had a close victory, but that again is down to the modern tendency to try and finish the game off with a six. Otherwise, the England win would have been a very, very easy win against Pakistan."

"England, because they've got the bowlers who can bowl spin as well as quick. They've got a very good bowling attack and the batting also, they've got a fair bit of depth over there. So I think England and South Africa are the two teams to watch out for," he added.

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T20 World Cup 2026 “We expected Brian Bennett to score a 100...” India cricket fan

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England and South Africa's performance in the T20 World Cup 2026

Speaking about England and South Africa's performance in the whole tournament, Harry Brook's side played four matches in the Group stage and won three matches in it. In the first fixture, they defeated Nepal by 4 runs. But in the second game, West Indies brutally dominated them and beat them by 30 runs. However, they made a strong comeback and defeated Scotland and Italy and qualified for the Super 8. Not only this, their great performance led them to the semi-final of the tournament.

While Aiden Markram's South Africa performed brilliantly throughout the whole tournament, their epic performance with the bat and the ball helped them to finish at the top of the Group D points table with 8 points as they won every match and showcased great strategy against Afghanistan. Speaking about their Super 8 journey, they have played 2 matches and won every game in it as well and also qualified for the semi-finals of the tournament.

England's next match in Super 8

Harry Brook's England will play their last match of the Super 8 against New Zealand on March 27 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. It's just a formality match for the England team as they have already qualified for the semi-finals. However, this match will be important for the Blackcaps as they still haven't qualified for the knockout games.

South Africa's next match in Super 8

Speaking about South Africa's last match, they will face Zimbabwe on March 1 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. South Africa has also qualified for the semi-finals. Zimbabwe were already eliminated from the tournament as they lost both their matches and there is no hope left for them.

In a surprising shift during the T20 World Cup 2026, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has placed two other nations ahead of India in his list of title favorites.

While India recently kept their semi-final hopes alive with a 72-run thrashing of Zimbabwe on February 26, 2026, Gavaskar’s latest assessment suggests that the "Men in Blue" have a massive hill to climb to retain their crown.

Gavaskar’s Top Picks for the Trophy

During a recent discussion on India Today, Gavaskar named South Africa and England as the two teams most likely to lift the trophy. His reasoning focused on their current momentum and squad balance:

• South Africa: Gavaskar praised the Proteas for their "dominant and smart" cricket. South Africa has already secured a semi-final spot from Group 1, having crushed India by 76 runs and defeated the West Indies. He noted that they have adapted better to tricky, slow surfaces than any other team.

• England: Despite a narrow victory over Pakistan that some called a "collapse," Gavaskar highlighted England’s versatility. He pointed to their depth in both spin and pace bowling, as well as a batting lineup that remains aggressive even under pressure.

  
  
  

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Why "Not India"?

Gavaskar's exclusion of India from his top two comes after a period of heavy criticism regarding the team's tactical approach in the Super 8s:

1. The "Overconfidence" Factor: After India's loss to South Africa, Gavaskar blasted the top order for being overconfident and "throwing their bats at everything" instead of playing to the conditions.

2. Struggles Against Spin: He pointed out a glaring technical flaw in India's left-heavy top order (featuring Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Tilak Varma), which has been consistently exploited by opposition off-spinners.

3. Technical Dismissals: His blunt critique of Sanju Samson—who got out to a familiar short ball at deep mid-wicket against Zimbabwe—underscored his frustration with recurring mistakes by the Indian batters.

   
   
   

The Current Situation

As of February 27, 2026, England and South Africa are the only teams to have officially qualified for the semi-finals. India remains in a "must-win" scenario. They head to Kolkata to face the West Indies on Sunday; a win will likely see them through to the semis, but a loss would mean elimination.

"England and South Africa are the two teams to watch out for. They've got the depth and the bowlers who can bowl spin as well as quick." — Sunil Gavaskar

Would you like me to pull up the Super 8 Group 1 points table to see exactly what margin India needs to win by against the West Indies?

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Doctor suggests 5 signs of fatty liver one can check at home

 

How to check if you have fatty liver at home

A silent health concern is gripping India; nearly 38% of adults are now estimated to have Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). What makes this condition worrying is that it often develops quietly, without dramatic symptoms. Gastroenterologist Dr Saurabh Sethi (MD, MPH) says that even though a proper diagnosis requires medical tests like ultrasounds or liver function tests, there are some early physical and lifestyle signs that can raise suspicion, and many can be noticed right at home.

Persistent tiredness that doesn’t go away

Fatigue in fatty liver disease isn’t ordinary tiredness. It’s a constant sense of low energy, even after adequate rest. The liver plays a key role in converting nutrients into energy. When fat builds up inside it, this energy process slows down. Over time, one might feel drained, heavy, or sluggish, especially during the day. It’s often dismissed as stress or overwork, but when tiredness becomes a daily companion, it may be worth paying closer attention.

Weight collecting around the midsection

One of the most telling signs of a fatty liver is central obesity, a gradual accumulation of fat around the abdomen. Even those who appear otherwise lean might notice that the waistline feels tighter. Dr Sethi points out that fat stored around the liver and internal organs is far more harmful than the one beneath the skin. This “hidden” fat is often linked with insulin resistance and poor metabolic health, both early warnings for NAFLD.

A strange fullness or dull ache below the right ribs

That occasional discomfort or mild pain on the right side of the abdomen, just under the ribs, can sometimes indicate that the liver is swollen or inflamed. It’s not always sharp pain, more often, it feels like pressure, heaviness, or fullness. Since the liver sits on the right side, such sensations shouldn’t be ignored, especially when they appear alongside fatigue and weight gain.

Subtle signs of insulin resistance

Fatty liver disease is deeply tied to insulin resistance, when the body’s cells stop responding efficiently to insulin. This can quietly show up in daily life as increased hunger after meals, sudden energy crashes, or darkened patches of skin, especially around the neck or underarms (a condition called acanthosis nigricans). These small clues often appear long before blood sugar levels rise to diabetic ranges.

Recurring nausea and loss of appetite

When the liver struggles to process fats and toxins, it can cause digestive discomfort. A feeling of queasiness, early fullness after meals, or a general disinterest in food can be subtle indicators. Dr Sethi explains that these symptoms result from the liver’s reduced ability to handle dietary fats efficiently. Over time, the digestive rhythm feels off-balance, not enough to trigger alarm, but enough to signal something’s not quite right.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Fatty liver disease can only be confirmed through proper medical evaluation, such as liver imaging and blood tests. Always consult a qualified doctor for diagnosis or treatment.

Fatty liver disease (now often referred to by experts as MASLD) is famously dubbed a "silent killer" because it typically shows no symptoms in its early stages. However, according to experts like Harvard-trained gastroenterologist Dr. Saurabh Sethi, there are five subtle physical indicators you can observe yourself that may suggest your liver is struggling.

Here are the 5 signs of fatty liver you can check for at home:

1. Abdominal Weight Gain ("The Liver Belly")

One of the most prominent red flags is unexplained weight gain specifically around the midsection, even if the rest of your body remains lean. This is often linked to insulin resistance. When the liver is overwhelmed with fat, it struggles to process sugar, forcing the body to store excess energy as visceral fat around the abdomen.

2. Discomfort Under the Right Rib Cage

The liver is located in the upper right quadrant of your abdomen. While it usually doesn't cause sharp pain, a fatty liver can become slightly enlarged and inflamed (hepatomegaly). This often manifests as:

• A dull ache or a feeling of "fullness."

• Mild pressure just below the right ribs.

• Discomfort that feels like indigestion but persists.

3. "Energy Debt" (Persistent Fatigue)

If you feel constantly drained despite getting 7–8 hours of quality sleep, your liver might be the culprit. As the body’s primary energy metabolism center, a fat-clogged liver cannot efficiently convert nutrients into energy or remove toxins, leading to a lingering, heavy fatigue that rest doesn't seem to fix.

4. Skin and Hair Changes

Because the liver regulates several hormones and filters toxins, dysfunction often shows up on the surface:

• Acanthosis Nigricans: Darkened, velvety skin folds, especially around the neck or underarms.

• Spider Angiomas: Small, spider-like red blood vessels visible just under the skin.

• Hair Thinning: Sudden or unusual hair loss can be a byproduct of the metabolic stress caused by liver issues.

5. Nausea or Loss of Appetite

An overworked liver can interfere with your digestive system. You might notice a sudden lack of interest in food or a mild, recurring feeling of nausea, especially after eating fatty or heavy meals. This happens because the liver's ability to produce bile (necessary for fat digestion) is compromised.

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When to See a Doctor

If you notice these signs, experts recommend a Liver Function Test (LFT) or an Ultrasound. These at-home checks are early warning signals, but they are not a substitute for a clinical diagnosis.

Note: Advanced signs like yellowing of the eyes (jaundice) or a severely swollen tummy (ascites) indicate that the condition has progressed beyond simple fatty liver and requires urgent medical attention.

Would you like me to find a list of "liver-friendly" foods that experts recommend for reversing early-stage fatty liver?

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