India a force to reckon with in T-20 World Cup

Defending champions India headline a competitive Group A in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, featuring Pakistan, the Netherlands, Namibia and the USA. The tournament begins on February 7, with India aiming for a historic title defence.

Hyderabad: Group A gets the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 underway when Pakistan face the Netherlands in Colombo on February 7.

The group also features one of the tournament hosts, with defending champions India looking to achieve what they have never done before in World Cups, retaining the trophy, according to an ICC media release on Tuesday.

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The USA were the surprise package in 2024 and will once again be fierce competitors, along with Namibia, who complete the group.

India

The No.1-ranked side in both T20Is and ODIs, India are a force to be reckoned with in white-ball cricket.

In the batting line-up, Abhishek Sharma has impressed, scoring 1,267 runs in just 37 matches, including two centuries. He boasts the highest career strike rate in T20Is, a staggering 194.92.

Sharma represents the next generation as India begin a new era following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after the 2024 title triumph.

In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah continues to lead the attack, while Varun Chakravarthy’s mystery spin remains a vital asset.

With Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill missing out on selection, Ishan Kishan is likely to compete with Sanju Samson for the wicketkeeper’s role, while Samson is expected to open alongside Sharma.

With three of their four group matches scheduled in India, the co-hosts will hope to capitalise on home advantage.

Namibia

Namibia are competing in their fourth successive ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Their best showing came on debut in 2021, when they reached the Super 12 stage, defeating the Netherlands, whom they will face again this year.

In the previous edition in the West Indies and the USA, Namibia began with a super-over victory against Oman, with Ruben Trumpelmann claiming four wickets. He returns for another campaign.

Craig Williams is also back at the World Cup, this time as head coach. Already a legend as a player, Williams has taken charge as Namibia prepare to co-host the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2027.

Before that, they face the daunting task of playing India and Pakistan for only the second time and will look to improve on their 0–2 record against the USA.

Netherlands

Often regarded as a tricky side, the Netherlands embark on their seventh ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign.

They have reached the second round twice, most recently in 2022.

In that edition, Bas de Leede claimed 13 wickets to finish joint second among the leading wicket-takers, while Max O’Dowd scored 242 runs, finishing just behind Virat Kohli in the run charts.

Both feature in the 2026 squad, with Scott Edwards leading the side. Experience comes from Roelof van der Merwe, one of six players aged over 40 in the tournament.

The seasoned slow left-arm spinner has been playing international cricket since 2009 and was instrumental in the Netherlands’ famous 2023 World Cup win over South Africa.

Pakistan

Pakistan will be keen to put their previous T20 World Cup campaign behind them.

The 2009 champions failed to progress beyond the group stage for the first time after losses to India and debutants the USA.

They will hope it proves a blip, having reached the final and semi-finals in the two tournaments prior to 2024.

Coached by Mike Hesson, Pakistan are currently ranked sixth in T20Is and will be captained by Salman Ali Agha.

Babar Azam has returned to the squad after being dropped for the Asia Cup, where Pakistan finished runners-up to India.

Despite four years of T20 experience, Naseem Shah remains the youngest member of the squad and will be eager to rediscover the form that saw him take 3 for 21 against India in a thriller in 2024.

USA

Having announced themselves on the world stage two years ago, the USA will be aiming to build on that success overseas.

On home soil, they defeated Canada in their opening match before stunning Pakistan in a super over, finishing second in their group behind India and reaching the Super 8 stage.

Since then, they have won the North America T20 Cup final against Canada and recorded a 3–0 series win over Oman last February.

Monank Patel will continue as captain, having scored a half-century against Pakistan in 2024.

Saiteja Mukkamalla is the USA’s highest-ranked batter at No.25 in the world, ahead of players such as Harry Brook and Cameron Green.

The 21-year-old already has international hundreds in both white-ball formats and averages 42.60 in T20 cricket.