Group A kicks off the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with Pakistan facing the Netherlands in Colombo on February 7.
This group includes defending champions India, aiming to hold on to their title. The USA, who surprised many in 2024, and Namibia are also part of the competition.
India
Ranked first in T20Is and ODIs, India is a major contender in white-ball Cricket.
Indian batsman Abhishek Sharma has scored 1,267 runs in 37 matches, including two centuries, with the highest strike rate in T20Is at 194.92. Following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after their 2024 win, Sharma represents a new era.
Bowler Jasprit Bumrah remains a key player, while Varun Chakravarthy brings his unique spin to the team. Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill won’t play, so Ishan Kishan will compete with Sanju Samson for the wicketkeeper spot, with Samson likely to open with Sharma.
With three out of four group matches in India, they look to capitalize on home support.
Namibia
Namibia is playing in their fourth consecutive ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
In their first appearance in 2021, they reached the Super 12 stage, defeating the Netherlands, who they will meet again this year. Last time, they started strong by beating Oman in a Super Over, with Ruben Trumpelmann taking four wickets.
Head coach Craig Williams, a former player, is back as they prepare to co-host the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2027. They aim to improve their record against India and Pakistan, where they hold a 0-2 history against the USA.
Netherlands
The Netherlands, in their seventh ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, are considered a challenging opponent. They have reached the second round twice, most recently in 2022.
In that tournament, Bas de Leede took 13 wickets, ranking second, while Max O’Dowd scored 242 runs, just behind Virat Kohli. Both players are included in the 2026 squad, led by Scott Edwards.
Roelof van der Merwe, one of six players over 40, brings invaluable experience. He has played internationally since 2009 and contributed to the 2023 Cricket World Cup victory over South Africa.
Pakistan
T20 World Cup 2026: ‘Let’s see if you really have the guts’ – Harbhajan Singh criticizes Pakistan over threats to boycott the match against India (Source: Sameer Ali/Getty Images)
Pakistan aims to move past their last T20 World Cup, where they did not advance from the group stage for the first time. They lost matches against India and the USA. Previously, they had reached the final and semi-finals in their earlier appearances.
Under the leadership of Mike Hesson, Pakistan is currently ranked sixth in T20. Salman Ali Agha will captain the team, managing the pressure on Babar Azam, who returns to the squad after being dropped during the Asia Cup, where Pakistan finished second to India.
Naseem Shah, the youngest member of the squad, hopes to regain his form after a strong performance against India in 2024.
USA
International Cricket Council suspends USA Cricket board. (Photo Source: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
The USA aims to build on their success from two years ago. With home advantage, they upset Canada in their inaugural World Cup match and defeated Pakistan in a super over, finishing second in their group behind India.
Since then, they have won the North America T20 Cup against Canada and completed a series victory over Oman. Monank Patel will captain again, having contributed a half-century against Pakistan in 2024.
Saiteja Mukkamalla is the highest-ranked player at 25th in the world, ranking above players like Harry Brook and Cameron Green. The 21-year-old already has international centuries in both formats and averages 42.60 in T20s.
