The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 starts on February 7, with India and Sri Lanka as co-hosts. A total of 20 teams will compete for the prestigious trophy, offering an action-packed tournament with many contenders. Some teams aim for their first title, while others seek to add to their successes. India enters the tournament as the defending champions, having beaten South Africa in the 2024 final.
As the event approaches, teams are fine-tuning their line-ups through warm-up matches and training camps to select their best squads. Given the conditions in the subcontinent, we can expect high-scoring matches. Spin bowlers will likely play a key role on Asian pitches, and fast bowlers who can vary their deliveries will be crucial for success.
Among the 20 teams, India stands out for its depth and winning potential across the board. On paper, they seem well-prepared for the tournament.
India’s batting is led by Abhishek Sharma, the world’s No.1-ranked T20I batter. Known for his aggressive style, he can dominate bowling attacks from the start, often scoring at a strike rate over 200. He is supported by aggressive wicketkeeper-batters Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, who can excel during the powerplay or anchor the innings when needed.
In the middle order, captain Suryakumar Yadav is a key player alongside the skilled Tilak Varma. Their ability to handle spinners and find gaps during the middle overs adds stability to the team.
The finishing lineup is equally strong, featuring Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, and Rinku Singh, known for their power in the death overs. Vice-captain Axar Patel contributes valuable all-round skills and experience in high-pressure situations.
On the bowling side, India has standout performers in both pace and spin. Jasprit Bumrah’s accuracy and Varun Chakravarthy’s unique spin can control matches and disrupt partnerships. Kuldeep Yadav also poses a major wicket-taking threat during the middle overs. Pacers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana provide depth and variety, especially on helpful pitches.
Considering the squad’s balance and the playing conditions, India appears to be the strongest team heading into the T20 World Cup 2026. They are strong favorites to defend their title and win the trophy for the third time.
India’s squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh
