Five must-watch batters set to shine at the T20 World Cup

The evolution of strategy in T20 cricket has been dynamic since the format’s early boom.

The upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to platform the game’s latest trends, where it’s expected that co-hosts and reigning champions India will be at the forefront.

Power-hitting in the Powerplay has never been more of a focus for teams, whether trying to set big totals or commence run chases on the front foot.

And this philosophical shift dictates who some of the tournament’s key hitters will be.

Here are five batters to keep a close eye on at the T20 World Cup 2026.

Batters to Watch at the T20 World Cup

Abhishek Sharma

Where else can this list start, other than the ICC’s top-ranked T20I batter.

Considered the best Powerplay batter at the tournament, ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting has predicted Abhishek to deliver as the top run-scorer. The 25-year-old has whacked 249 sixes in all T20Is since October 2023, more than any other batter appearing in this World Cup.

After a boom-bust series against New Zealand, the left-hander will be hoping for consistent destruction throughout the tournament. If he stays hot, it's hard to see anyone keeping pace with India.

Dewald Brevis

Comfortably the youngest name on this list, the high-flying and hard-hitting 22-year-old is ready to make his mark on the big stage.

Most cricketers would be happy scoring T20I runs at Brevis' ODI strike rate (143.75), let alone the South African's record in the shorter format. The Johannesburg product has scored at 171.32 across 21 T20I innings, which is the sixth-highest rate of any batter in T20I history.

Final squads for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 confirmed

In games against only Australia and England, two of the tournament's heavyweights, that strike rate is even closer to 200. His 125* off 56 balls in Australia last year, the fourth-highest score all-time in T20Is, caught the world's attention.

'Baby AB', as he's been dubbed, hits a six roughly every eight deliveries in T20 cricket. His ventures to the crease for South Africa at the T20 World Cup will be don't-look-away viewing.

Jos Buttler

There's only one Jos. England's former skipper has the fourth-most runs in T20 World Cup history and he's one of the most proven commodities the format has.

Buttler has the third-most sixes in T20Is period (173) and fifth-most T20I fifties (29), but only two away from reaching Pakistan great Mohammad Rizwan. More production at the T20 World Cup will move him even higher in those key categories and further entrench his white ball legacy.

He is 50 runs short of the ultra exclusive four thousand club; only Babar Azam (4505), Rohit Sharma (4231) and Virat Kohli (4188) have at least 4,000 T20I runs.

The 35-year-old might have handed on the captaincy reins last year, but his actions will do the talking for one of the tournament's favourites. He was a key piece of England's title-winning efforts in 2022 and will be central to their claims once again.

Capable of handling Powerplay duties, or playing the finishing role, or both, Buttler is England's queen on the chess board.

Shai Hope

It’s in his last name. Whether just causing havoc at the T20 World Cup, or even returning to the lofty heights of title glory like the West Indies' 2012 and 2016 counterparts did, Hope is the starting point.

Fresh off another T20I batter rankings rise of four spots to 13th, the West Indies captain is primed to hit full gear - and stay there - this tournament.

He bats with a strike rate just a tick under 140. It’s the composure with which Hope displays that continues to set him up for big game success and its frantic nature.

The one concern is his record in India and Sri Lanka, where his averages and rates sit well below career marks. Now's the time to further flesh out his impressive resume.

Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan)

Coming off Player of the Series honours in their series against Australia, the Pakistan skipper will be a crucial cog with the bat.

With confirmation Agha will move up and come in at No.3, he will be required to own different roles in different moments, from Powerplay hitter to steadying hand, on top of the leadership he provides and requisite captaincy duties.

A more lightly used option in this format for Pakistan, having played in just 45 T20Is and 42 innings, the Lahore product is still hunting a maiden ton; both his white ball hundreds have come in ODIs.

If Pakistan are to make a deep tournament charge, Salmon Ali Agha will need to fire.