NEW DELHI (AP) — The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 begins in India and Sri Lanka on Saturday. This fast-paced format of Cricket is likely to reveal some future stars.
Here are five players to watch.
Abhishek Sharma, India
The opening batter is making waves in T20 with his aggressive batting. Sharma holds the highest strike-rate in T20s at 194.74 and is the No. 1-ranked T20 batter worldwide.
Despite having only played in this short format at the International level, Sharma has swiftly risen through the ranks for India. In 38 matches, he averages 37.05, with two centuries and eight half-centuries, scoring over 50 runs every fourth time at bat. This poses a clear threat to bowlers.
Sharma was named player of the tournament in the 2025 Asia Cup, boasting a strike rate of 200 and hitting three consecutive half-centuries. This was his first experience in a multi-team tournament beyond the Indian Premier League (IPL).
He first gained attention in the 2024 season, matching Australia’s Travis Head shot for shot, and has climbed the popularity charts. He is a key player for India’s quest to defend their 2024 title.
Jacob Bethell, England
The 22-year-old all-rounder had a taste of the fan atmosphere while with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL last year. He played just two matches but scored 55 off 33 balls in his debut against Chennai Super Kings, helping his team win by two runs and gaining a following in India.
Bethell showcased his skills in the test arena with a score of 154 against Australia in the Ashes series finale, linking him to England’s future in all formats.
His aggressive stroke play against spin and ability to bowl decent left-arm spin make him a strong contender in Indian conditions. In England’s last match before the World Cup, he took 4-11 against Sri Lanka.
Dewald Brevis, South Africa
Brevis gained attention after being signed by the Mumbai Indians post the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, where he topped the scoring for South Africa. His deal allowed him to gain experience with the franchise worldwide.
At just 19, he scored the highest T20 total in South Africa, with 162 off 57 balls, earning the nickname ‘Baby AB’ after AB de Villiers.
However, he faced challenges in his development, leading MI to drop him before the 2025 auction. After focusing on his fundamentals in domestic cricket, he returned to form.
Chennai Super Kings took a chance on him during the 2025 IPL as an injury substitute, where he scored 57 off 23 balls against Gujarat Titans, winning player of the match and securing his spot in the squad.
Noor Ahmad, Afghanistan
Noor Ahmad, a left-arm wrist spinner, is following in the footsteps of Rashid Khan, gaining popularity in various T20 leagues globally. Before turning 22, he represented Afghanistan and played in leagues across India, the UAE, South Africa, the U.S., Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Australia, England, and the West Indies.
With nearly 200 T20 matches under his belt, Ahmad will be a significant presence in spin-friendly conditions in India and Sri Lanka. His extensive experience against different batters can be a challenge, but his unique spin is often hard to predict.
Chennai Super Kings invested around $1.2 million to secure him, highlighting his growing reputation. Ahmad has outperformed Rashid Khan in the IPL over the past two seasons, taking 32 wickets compared to Khan’s 17, making him a vital asset for Afghanistan at the T20 World Cup.
Finn Allen, New Zealand
Finn Allen struggled for consistency early in his career, which can be tough for a power hitter in T20. However, he has improved, achieving the third-highest number of sixes in a T20 international innings — 16 against Pakistan in 2024, scoring 137 off 62 balls.
This performance marked a turning point, and he has since played in various T20 leagues, recently scoring 466 runs for Perth Scorchers in Australia’s Big Bash League, helping them secure their sixth title.
He later joined the New Zealand squad for the fifth T20 match, where he hit 80 off 36 balls, including six sixes. Although New Zealand lost that match, Allen is set to play a crucial role in their pursuit of a first T20 title.
