The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup begins this week with off-field issues overshadowing on-field, but once the action gets going it promises to be an intriguing event with eventual winners truly difficult to call.
The 2026 edition is played across two countries (India and Sri Lanka), eight venues and over four weeks. Two pools compete for four semi-final slots, each hoping to be lifting the trophy in Mumbai on March 8th.
So who should we expect to see making a run at the knock-out stages and who could the tournament’s dark horses.
INDIA
Home nation India are the bookies favourites and rightly so. With powerful batting line-up, skilful bowlers and the crowd on their side, it would be a shock if they aren’t in the knockout stages. They have been dominant in the T20 format, winning nearly 90% of their matches since late 2023 – an imperious record that will take some stopping.
AUSTRALIA
Whenever a major tournament rolls round, it takes a brave person to discount Australia. There batting line-up is powered by Gray-Nicolls, with skipper Mitch Marsh, Ashes hero Travis Head and all-round star Cam Green set to bat at three. They won the event back in 2021 so there’s pedigree; will all the pieces fit together at the right time.
ENGLAND
England come into a tournament they won in 2022 on the back of a chaotic winter which has featured Ashes defeats but white ball success. Skipper Harry Brook is back in scintillating form, and their spin options are plentiful with Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson supported by Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks. Can the batting line-up fire up often enough to challenge for silverware?
TIME TO SHINE?
Two perennial white-ball runners-up looking to go one step further are New Zealand and South Africa. New Zealand as ever look a really solid unit and recently scored a magnificent ODI series victory in India, but their T20 form is quite as spectacular. South Africa were just seven runs from victory in the last tournament, but without a couple of their key players doubts will remain about their ability to go all the way on the biggest stage. They should take encouragement from their World Test Championship win back in June.
THE OUTSIDERS
Two names immediately spring to mind when you think of outsiders who could spring a surprise. Sri Lanka – tournament co-hosts – must make the most of friendly conditions to make it out of their pool. With class in their batting via the likes of Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka, if they can make the knockouts they have a great chance.
Meanwhile West Indies have shown before that they can turn it on when it matters most. Now led by Shai Hope but with usual mix of all-rounders and solid bowling attack, they are more than capable of getting on a roll and going deep in the tournament.
DRESSED TO IMPRESS
We can’t end a T20 World Cup preview without showcasing the two sides in Gray-Nicolls teamwear.
Netherlands’ participation has been long known, and following success in previous events they will be keen to claim a further big-name scalp.
You can grab their tulip-inspired World Cup shirt here
Two weeks ago Scotland’s cricketers were planning their late winter activities away from the pitch. Now, following Bangladesh’s withdrawal they have been thrust into the spotlight. A new kit has been produced in less than a week, and the players are raring to go. If players like George Munsey and Matt Cross fire, we could see some wild Scottish celebrations.
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