England enters the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with strong momentum and high expectations. Their recent 3-0 victory over Sri Lanka in a home T20I series showcased the squad’s depth, balance, and power. Under Harry Brook‘s leadership, England features several match-winners in all departments.
With fast bowlers like Jofra Archer, versatile players such as Sam Curran, the spin talent of Adil Rashid, and promising all-rounder Jacob Bethell, England appears to be a strong T20 team. Adding big hitters like Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, and Will Jacks makes them a top contender for the title.
Who should open for England? Ravichandran Ashwin shares his thoughts
The choice of England’s opening batsmen has generated discussion, with former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressing his opinion on his YouTube channel. He analyzed England’s effectiveness in the powerplay and the options available for the top order.
Ashwin noted that England has tried various combinations, including Ben Duckett paired with Salt. While Duckett provides reliability as a left-handed option, Ashwin believes the most potent opening duo is Buttler and Salt.
“England excels in the powerplay. The opening pair of Phil Salt and Jos Buttler deserves attention since they have experimented with Duckett and Salt,” Ashwin said, highlighting the Buttler-Salt combination for its potential to create early scoring pressure.
Regarding Salt’s recent fitness concerns, Ashwin was optimistic, believing the issue was minor and unlikely to impact his participation in the tournament. He argues that the experience of Buttler, especially in Asian conditions, combined with Salt’s current form, provides England with the best chance to start strong in their matches.
“I prefer to see Phil Salt and Jos Buttler as the opening pair for England because Buttler has extensive experience in Asian conditions, and Salt is in great form,” Ashwin added.
High expectations from two-time champions
England’s goals for the 2026 tournament are backed by history. They are two-time T20 World Cup champions, having won in 2010 and 2022. No team has won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup three times, and England aims to achieve this milestone.
Together with India and West Indies, England currently holds the record for the most T20 World Cup titles, with two each. With a mix of youthful talent and experienced players, along with clarity regarding crucial roles like the opening partnership, expectations for England are understandably high.
