With Team India as the clear outlier, explore the likely best playing 11 ranking of each team for the T20 World Cup 2026.
Almost a decade later, the T20 World Cup finally returns to India, and what a moment this is for the Indian Cricket team fans. The current T20I Indian team is the greatest the game has ever seen, and playing a World Cup with this team in India will be a treat for fans. What’s more, India are also the defending champions, so not only does India have a chance to become the first team to win back-to-back T20 World Cup trophies, but also become the first team to win a trophy as hosts.
The T20 World Cup 2026 is certainly a spectacle that will witness 20 teams in action. Wooofff, seeing 20 teams in action for a month, with 55 matches in place, brings a festival kind of environment in India. While India is the primary host, Sri Lanka will also host many matches, including those of Pakistan. With the tournament featuring some really new and interesting teams like Italy, USA, UAE, etc., the focus will once again be on Super 8, which in general now has 9 contenders after Bangladesh’s exit.
20 teams are divided into four groups, and from each group, we will see 2 teams qualifying for the Super 8. Each team is filled with superstar players. So be it the likes of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh for Australia, Abhishek Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah for India, Jos Buttler and Phil Salt for England, and many more. But how does the best playing 11 shape up for each team? Well, let’s analyze the current squad and players list for each team, and find out the best playing 11 ranking for T20 World Cup 2026.
T20 World Cup 2026 Ranking Each Team Likely Best Playing 11
#9: Afghanistan T20 World Cup 2026 Best Playing 11
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
- Darwish Rasooli
- Sediqullah Atal
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Gulbadin Naib
- Mohammad Nabi
- Rashid Khan (c)
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Noor Ahmad
For number 9, we have the Afghanistan team, who will see Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran as openers. Alongside a tried and tested opening combination, Afghanistan will see Darwish Rasooli and Sediqullah Atal at 3 and 4. These four will be followed by All-rounders till 7. The bowling lineup shall. Include 3 spin and 1 pace combo. Overall, Afghanistan’s strength is their bowling, and if they can contain the opposition with their bowling, it will open the doors for the Afghan team.
#8: West Indies T20 World Cup 2026 Best Playing 11
- Brandon King
- Shai Hope (c&wk)
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Roston Chase
- Sherfane Rutherford
- Rovman Powell
- Romario Shepherd
- Jason Holder
- Akeal Hosein
- Jayden Seales
- Gudakesh Moti
Number 8 belongs to the West Indies team, and their playing 11 looks okay on paper. Brandon King and Shai Hope should most likely be one for WI. For number 3, we should see Shimron Hetmyer, and he should be followed by Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, and Romario Shepherd. With a good batting till 7, Jason Holder should add batting and bowling depth. Whereas the primary bowling should depend on Jayden Seales, Gudakesh Moti, and Akeal Hosein. Overall, the West Indies lack consistency in batting, and bowling seems decent on paper.
#7: Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 Best Playing 11
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Saim Ayub
- Salman Agha (c)
- Babar Azam
- Fakhar Zaman
- Usman Khan (wk)
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Shadab Khan
- Shaheen Afridi
- Abrar Ahmed
- Salman Mirza
Number 7 belongs to the Pakistan team, and honestly, this must be the weakest side Pakistan has ever played in T20I cricket. The Pak team should see Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan as openers. Salman Khan should be the new number 3, and Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman should take care of the middle order. Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz add the firepower in the lower order. Whereas primary bowling shall rely on Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, and Abrar Ahmed. It’s a decent team, but winning a tournament with this team will take something extraordinary.
#6: Sri Lanka T20 World Cup 2026 Best Playing 11
- Pathum Nissanka
- Kamil Mishara
- Kusal Mendis (wk)
- Charith Asalanka
- Kamindu Mendis
- Dhananjaya de Silva
- Dasun Shanaka (c)
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Dushmantha Chameera
For number 6, we have the Sri Lankan team, and their key advantage is playing in home conditions. Sri Lanka will mostly see Pathum Nissanka and Kamili Mishra opening the innings with Kusal Mendis at 3. Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya De Silva should complete the middle-order. Whereas Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, and Wanindu Hasaranga should take care of finishing duties. Finally, for primary bowling, we should see Matheesha Pathirana, Dusmantha Chameera, and Maheesh Theekshana. Overall, Sri Lanka have a few good match winners that will play a key role throughout the tournament
#5: England T20 World Cup 2026 Best Playing 11
- Jos Buttler (wk)
- Phil Salt (wk)
- Jacob Bethell
- Tom Banton (wk)
- Harry Brook (c)
- Will Jacks
- Sam Curran
- Jamie Overton
- Liam Dawson
- Jofra Archer
- Adil Rashid
For number 5, we have the England team, and one can blame the bowling lineup of England for having such a ranking. England’s bowling lineup includes Archer and Adil Rashid as primary bowlers, with Sam Curran as the next best. But the other three, most likely Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, and Will Jacks, aren’t threatening at all. So, unless the pitch assists bowlers, it will be a hard time for the batters, including Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, and Tom Banton. Overall, England need more from their bowlers to be able to be competitive.
#4: New Zealand T20 World Cup 2026 Best Playing 11
- Finn Allen
- Tim Seifert (wk)
- Rachin Ravindra
- Glenn Phillips
- Daryl Mitchell
- Mark Chapman
- Michael Bracewell
- Mitchell Santner (c)
- Ish Sodhi
- Jacob Duffy
- Matt Henry
Number 4 belongs to the New Zealand team, and they are a slightly better version of England. New Zealand have a good bowling lineup, and that’s what differentiates them from England. The likes of Mitchell Santner, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and Michael Bracewell make the NZ bowling strong and among the best. However, batting it where New Zealand lack a punch, and the form of Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, and Finn Allen will be crucial in determining if New Zealand goes to Semi final and beyond.
#3: Australia T20 World Cup 2026 Best Playing 11
- Mitchell Marsh (c)
- Travis Head
- Josh Inglis (wk)
- Cameron Green
- Tim David
- Glenn Maxwell
- Marcus Stoinis
- Xavier Bartlett
- Adam Zampa
- Josh Hazlewood
- Nathan Ellis
Moving on to number 3, and this could surprise a few. Ideally, Australia should be the number 2 team on the table. However, the loss of Pat Cummins and injuries to Nathan Ellis and Josh Hazlewood make things worrisome for Australia. The batting is still pretty dangerous, and can take apart any bowling lineup. But if Ellis and Hazlewood don’t gain full fitness, it will be very difficult to beat South Africa as well, and forget about beating India. Overall, Australia needs A-level cricket from Head, Marsh, David, Zampa, Stoinis, Green, etc., to make up for the decent bowling.
#2: South Africa T20 World Cup 2026 Best Playing 11
- Ryan Rickelton
- Quinton de Kock (wk)
- Aiden Markram (c)
- Dewald Brevis
- David Miller
- Tristan Stubbs
- Marco Jansen
- Corbin Bosch
- Anrich Nortje
- Kagiso Rabada
- Keshav Maharaj
So, the suspense for number 2 is now closed, and we have the mighty South African team in this position. South Africa have a well-potent squad, and the addition of Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton has come as a blessing in disguise for them. With the line-up of Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch at 7 and 8, the batting depth is quite sorted for South Africa. The only concern is the second pacer for South Africa, and they will need Anrich Nortje or Lungi Ngidi to step up to support Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj. If they do that, there is no doubt South Africa will be a dangerous team to beat.
#1: Team India T20 World Cup 2026 Best Playing 11
- Abhishek Sharma
- Ishan Kishan (wk)
- Suryakumar Yadav (c)
- Tilak Varma
- Axar Patel
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dube
- Rinku Singh
- Arshdeep Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Varun Chakravarthy
Finally, the Best of the lot is the Indian team, and there should not even be a debate about this. The current Indian team is miles ahead of any other team in the competition, and one can not even point out a weakness in this lineup. Be it batting depth, aggressive approach, cautious approach, wicket takers, or tight bowling, the Indian team has it all. The fact that the team can play on any kind of wicket, and has many match-winners in the side makes this team the Invincible team of the competition. Unless God’s plan, this team should win the T20 World Cup 2026 without a doubt.
ALSO READ: T20 World Cup 2026 All 20 Teams Full Squad and Best Players List
So, that’s about the full best playing 11 ranking of each team for the T20 World Cup 2026. Thanks for reading! Looking at the playing 11 ranking of each team, which team looks the best for the T20 World Cup 2026? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com, or in the comments section below.