Former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath has shared his predictions for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. During his appearance on The Fast Bowling Cartel YouTube channel, McGrath suggested a shift towards new talents in T20 Cricket. His insights focus on strategic bowling techniques and the bold style of emerging players. By highlighting certain stars from the subcontinent and hinting at a possible rematch from the 2024 final, McGrath has laid out an interesting outlook for the tournament.
Glenn McGrath’s predictions for T20 World Cup 2026
1. Leading Wicket-Taker
McGrath has endorsed Rashid Khan from Afghanistan as the top wicket-taker in the 2026 event. He noted Rashid’s impressive record in T20 cricket, with 187 wickets in just 111 matches. McGrath emphasized Rashid’s economy rate of 6.02 and an average of 13.59 as key reasons for his success, making him a formidable bowler compared to traditional fast bowlers. Rashid enters the tournament close to achieving 200 T20I wickets and is expected to lead Afghanistan’s bowling attack.
2. Highest Run Scorer
For the highest run-scorer, McGrath is backing India’s Abhishek Sharma, the current top-ranked T20I batsman. McGrath highlighted Sharma’s impressive strike rate of 194.74, the highest for any player with over 30 innings. The 25-year-old has scored 1,297 runs in 38 matches, including 2 centuries and 8 fifties. McGrath pointed out Sharma’s strong performance in the 2025 Asia Cup and his recent success against New Zealand as evidence of his potential impact in 2026.
3. Finalists and Winner
McGrath predicts an India vs South Africa final for the 2026 tournament, suggesting a repeat of the 2024 final. While acknowledging the unpredictable nature of finals, he believes India will defend their title successfully. He highlighted India’s well-rounded team, including strong spin and fast bowling options like Jasprit Bumrah. Although he respects South Africa’s ability to reach the final again, McGrath feels that India’s familiarity with the subcontinental conditions will give them the advantage in securing the championship.
