ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2026 – The Review
By Aneesh Agrawal
With the 2026 T20 World Cup (held in India and Sri Lanka) having come to a close this March, Aneesh Agrawal reflects on its key events, standout players and most exciting teams.
I don’t know why, but it seems there was less spotlight on this World Cup until the Super 8s and the later matches of the group stage. I recognise that not many fans care about T20 and I agree that it is worse than ODI and Test – but this has truly been one for the ages, with many resemblances to 2016 – considered the greatest T20 World Cup of all time (I know – it was only founded in 2007).
What were some of the major takeaways for the teams and what does it mean for us?
Australia:
Well, they came into this tournament with so much anticipation, but ended up being an absolute flop. Their previous result of a 3-0 whitewash defeat against Pakistan meant that Australia came in with bad form, and they weren’t able to handle the heat in the group stage, exiting without progressing to the Super 8s for the first time since 2009.
Associates:
Whoa. They have had an excellent tournament. The biggest surprise comes with Zimbabwe – progressing from a group with Sri Lanka and Australia with no losses, and although they went out in the Super 8s, this signified the start of a new era, with Brian Bennett starring throughout the tournament. Nepal and Italy also emerged as surprises with both sides putting up a good fight against each other and against England.
West Indies:
They had a decent tournament, going through to the Super 8s and showing their six-hitting power, but unfortunately falling to India.
Pakistan:
Sahibzada Farhan. He has turned into an absolute superstar – with a couple of centuries and 383 runs – the most ever in an edition of the T20 World Cup.
They have played decently well this year – and it was a shame not to see them go through to the semi-finals.
Sri Lanka:
In a home World Cup, they will be disappointed. What could’ve been: despite heroics from Nissanka, Shanaka and more, they sink out of the tournament.
India:
Making it through to the semi-finals was a must for India, and obviously they had to do it with drama. Highlighted by an innings of pure quality from Sanju Samson (97 off 50 against the West Indies in a must-win and 89 against England), they beat England in what seems like a new era. They became the first side to hit two 250+ scores consecutively in the final and semi-final, as well as becomig the first team to win 3 T20 World Cups, and the first ever to defend their title.
England:
They have always found a way to win. Despite them seemingly struggling against Italy and Nepal, Curran and Jacks have starred throughout this tournament and saved England time after time, and combined with a Harry Brook century – the first by a captain in T20 World Cups- they managed to find a way to get into the semi-finals, where they couldn’t beat India – chasing 254 to win – but showing true intent and fully blooming a star in Jacob Bethell.
South Africa:
What a tournament this has been for them: getting to the semi-finals under captain Markram and a mini ABD (Dewald Brevis) and playing some of the best cricket in this World Cup. However, ultimately they went out thanks to Finn Allen and his 33-ball hundred.
New Zealand:
They made it through to the final, as in a fairly new-look side led by Mitchell Santner, players like Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen and Glenn Phillips have thrived, facing off the might of South Africa and tearing teams apart. Finn Allen’s century was the highlight of the semis as they progressed to the final – ultimately losing to India.
Ranking their performances:
- India
- New Zealand
- England
- South Africa
- West Indies
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- Zimbabwe
- Associates
- Australia – something that I would never have expected coming into this world cup
Key players:
Sahibzada Farhan – 383 Runs*
Tim Seifert – 326 Runs*
Sanju Samson – 326 Runs *
*These players broke Virat Kohli’s record for most runs in an edition (319) in the T20 World Cup
Ishan Kishan – 317 Runs
Finn Allen – 298 runs
Brian Bennet – 292 runs
Aiden Markram – 286 Runs
Jacob Bethell – 280 Runs
Will Jacks – 226 Runs & 9 Wickets
Rachin Ravindra – 128 Runs & 12 Wickets
Jasprit Bumrah – 14 Wickets
Varun Chakravarthy – 14 Wickets
Adil Rashid – 13 Wickets
Special Performances:
Jacob Bethell – 105 (48) vs India: Semi-final chasing 254
Harry Brook – 100 (51) vs Pakistan: First ever 100 by an England Captain in a T20 World Cup
These players also became the 3rd and 4th players to get a century in all three formats for England
Sanju Samson – 98* (50) vs West Indies, 89 (42) vs England, 89 (46) vs New Zealand
Rachin Ravindra – 32 (22) & 4/27 (4) vs Sri Lanka
Sahibzada Farhan – 100 (60) vs Sri Lanka, 63 (45) vs England (trust me), 100* (58) vs Namibia
Finn Allen – 100* (33) vs South Africa
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT: SANJU SAMSON
I don’t really know what to think. Samson played incredible innings in high-pressure games, scoring above 85 in all of them, and he broke Kohli’s run-scoring record in just 5 matches. But I would’ve picked Will Jacks for his brilliant performances, saving England with multiple 50s as well as some good cameos with the bat, not to mention that he also took 9 wickets.
Well done to Samson on his achievement though.
Takeaways:
Australia need to do better: being eliminated that early isn’t good enough for a team of their caliber.
Jacob Bethell is an absolutely class talent – we are lucky to have him.
It is a new light for associates as they might be able to go further next time.
India have done so well to win the trophy – it is truly a new era.
Well done to everyone and we look forward to the next World Cup!
INDIA: ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2026 CHAMPIONS
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