Indiadefeated New Zealand in the finalto lift their record third T20 World Cup trophy in 2026. This match brought an end to the month-long tournament, that can be regarded as one of best T20 World Cups of all time. The mega event saw some massive shocks like Australia being knocked out of the tournament in the group stage, to some massive highs like Zimbabwe's strong performance, and the associate nations going toe to to with the big boys. Several players made their mark in the tournament. Here, Times Now picks the playing XI comprising of the best players of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Sanju Samson had a fairytale campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026. He played only one out of the first five games in the tournament. However, India's defeat against South Africa in the Super 8 stage forced the team management to shuffle the batting order, and bring Samson to open the innings. He then went on to slam 321 runs at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of almost 200. In fact, he scored 97*, 86 and 89 in the virtual knockout vs West Indies, the semi-final vs England and the final vs New Zealand respectively. His performances earned him the prize for the Player of the Tournament.
New Zealand were the runners-up of the T20 World Cup 2026, and Tim Seifert was one of the main reasons why the Kiwis reached the final. He remained consistent throughout the tournament at the top of the order. He scored 326 runs from 8 innings, finishing as the second-highest run scorer of the tournament.
Ishan Kishan was not even part of the T20I setup a few months ago. However, he has made a comeback, and now made his place his own. He excelled for India both in the opening slot, and well as at no.3 during the T20 World Cup 2026. He scored 317 runs in 9 innings, at a strike rate of 194. He slammed three fifties, with the most notable ones coming against Pakistan (77) and in the final vs New Zealand.
Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett was definitely the find of the T20 World Cup 2026. He was one of the driving forces behind the nation's impressive campaign where they finished in the Super 8 stage of the tournament, and defeated giants Australia and Sri Lanka in the group stage. He scored 292 runs from 6 games, at an astonishing average of 146. He remained not out in 4 out of his 6 innings.
Sikanda Raza drove Zimbabwe's impressive campaign with both bat and ball. His inspiring captaincy to drive a team like Zimbabwe to the Super 8, had made him captain of this team. He scored 206 runs and took 5 wickets in 6 innings. He scored runs at an average of 51.
T20 World Cup 2026 Team Of The Tournament
Shivam Dube was the underrated star of India's victorious campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026. He might not have made big scores. But he always contributed with importat cameos in all of India's victories. He slammed 235 runs in 8 innings at an average of 39.05 and a strike rate of 169, and also managed to take 5 wickets.
Hardik Pandya contributed with both bat and ball, and was definitely the leading all-rounder of the T20 World Cup 2026. In 9 matches he scored 217 runs and took 9 wickets. His most significant contribution came against England in the semi-final, where he scored a crucial 27 from 16 deliveries, while also taking 2 wickets with the ball.
Will Jacks had a dream World Cup for England, as his contrubutions with both bat and ball guided England to the semi-final of the tournament. In 8 innings, he scored 227 runs at a strike rate of close to 177 and took 9 wickets as well. He oftern bailed out England in the most tense situations.
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