West Indies legend Viv Richards has lauded team India, saying they have taken their white-ball cricket to an extraordinary level. Following India’s tremendous victory at the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Richards praised the team’s consistency and fearless style of play that has made them a formidable force in limited-overs cricket. India sealed the T20 World Cup title with a commanding 96-run victory over New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on March 8.

The win not only crowned them champions but also marked a historic milestone as India became the first team in men’s cricket to successfully defend a T20 World Cup title. Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, the side played an aggressive brand of cricket, with individual brilliance being the highlight of the show.

"India have taken the game, in my opinion, to a different level, more so in the limited overs ' the ODIs, the T20s," Richards told PTI.

"It is a great present for the fans because of the love and the passion that they show for the game in itself. I just think the result would have been the right result because of that love and passion and the country that it is played in," he said.

Richards also talked about West Indies' huge dominance during the initial years of limited-overs cricket.

"We won the very first World Cup in 1975 and next one in 1979. So, cricket had a huge part to play where we are as West Indians. And more so, the folks who would have been fans of the West Indies teams of the past certainly will remember some of the great times that we had."

Meanwhile, India’s ability to control matches from any situation was on full display throughout the tournament, pulling off eye-catching victories against West Indies and England to storm into the final. Against England, India posted a mammoth total of 253/7, riding on a magnificent 89-run knock from Sanju Samson. Later, they defended the total, restricting England to 246/7 and claiming a thrilling seven-run win.