ICC announces team of the tournament for T20 World Cup 2026

The Indian cricket team rewrite the history by defending their T20 World Cup title, defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Sunday. Throughout the tournament, fans witnessed some incredible performances and memorable moments. After the tournament conclusion, the ICC announced the Team of the Tournament, featuring the best players who lit up the stage. The selection panel, comprising cricket legends like West Indies’ Ian Bishop, England’s former skipper Eoin Morgan, along with cricket expert Natalie Germanos, ICC representative Gaurav Saxena and journalist Rex Clementine.

ICC Team of the tournament 

Sahibzada Farhan, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Aiden Markram (c), Hardik Pandya, Will Jacks, Jason Holder, Jasprit Bumrah, Lungi Ngidi, Blessing Muzarabani, Adil Rashid

Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan) 7 matches, 383 runs, 76.60 average, 160.25 strike rate

Although Pakistan's performance fluctuated significantly during the tournament, and the team was eliminated in the Super 8 stage, Sahibzada Farhan remained remarkably consistent. He scored 383 runs in seven matches, becoming the highest run-scorer in a single World Cup edition. The 29-year-old batsman also scored two centuries in the tournament.

Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper, India) 5 matches, 321 runs, 80.25 average, 199.37 strike rate

It was a dream World Cup for India's Sanju Samson, and he also became the Player of the Tournament. Once dropped from the playing XI due to poor form, Sanju made a comeback in the second match of the Super 8 against Zimbabwe, where he played a quick 22-run knock. But his best innings came in the next cricket match against the West Indies, when he scored an unbeaten 97. After this, he scored 89 against England in the semi-final and 89 against New Zealand in the final, playing a major role in India winning the World Cup. He became the third batter to score half-centuries in both the final and semi-final, and only the second to notch three successive 80-plus scores at the T20 World Cup.

Ishan Kishan (India) 9 matches, 317 runs, 35.22 average, 193.29 strike rate

Ishan Kishan made an impact with relentless aggression at the top of the order. He scored 317 runs in 9 innings, including 3 half-centuries. His best performance came against arch-rivals Pakistan. After India lost an early wicket batting first, Kishan led the Indian charge with 77 off 40 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes. Thanks to his brilliant batting, India defeated their arch-rivals by 61 runs. Following this, Kishan made valuable contributions to the Indian team in every match. Having spent the last two years on the sidelines, Kishan's redemption arc was complete as he contributed 54 runs and completed two important catches in the final.

Aiden Markram (captain, South Africa) 8 matches, 286 runs, 47.66 average, 165.31 strike rate

The 2026 World Cup proved unlucky once again for the South African team captained by Aiden Markram. The team won all the matches in the group stage and Super 8 and qualified for the semi-finals, remaining undefeated, but due to the fastest century inning by NZ's Finn Allen in the semi-finals, South Africa lost the semi-final match and was eliminated from the tournament. Aiden Markram played the biggest role in South Africa reaching the semi-finals, scoring 286 runs in 8 matches, which included 3 fifties.

Hardik Pandya (India) 9 matches, 217 runs, 160.74 strike rate, 9 wickets

For the last few years, Hardik Pandya has been pivotal to team India's continued success, thanks to his ability to turn the match around with the bat or ball. And he continued the run of form at the T20 World Cup as well, amassing 217 runs, including 2 half-centuries and picking up nine wickets. His best cricket score came against Namibia, when he scored 52 runs off 28 balls. 
With the ball, his best performance was 2/16 in three overs against Pakistan. Opening the bowling, Pandya packed off the rival team's biggest threat, Farhan, for a duck and then bowled Usman Tariq to wrap up the Pakistan innings.

Will Jacks (England) 8 matches, 226 runs, 176.56 strike rate, 9 wickets

The T20 World Cup 2026 became a breakout tournament for England’s Will Jacks. Having dropped down the order, Jacks played the role of the finisher to perfection. He scored 226 runs in 8 matches, including a fifty. With the ball, he picked up 9 wickets throughout the tournament. During the competition, he received 4 times Player of the Match awards, drawing level with Shane Watson for most POTM honours at a T20 World Cup.

Jason Holder (West Indies) 7 matches, 10 wickets, 141 runs

West Indies’ veteran all-rounder Jason Holder played an important role in West Indies’ campaign to Super 8s. He was one of the stars of the tournament. He took 10 wickets in the tournament, while he scored 141 runs, with the highest cricket score of 49 against South Africa in the Super 8s.  

Jasprit Bumrah (India) 8 matches, 14 wickets, 12.42 average, 6.21 economy

If India successfully defended its T20 World Cup title today, the biggest reason for this is Jasprit Bumrah. There were so many matches during the World Cup in which Bumrah brought India back, be it the group stage match against Pakistan, the final Super 8 match against West Indies or the semi-final against England. Taking 14 wickets, he was the joint highest wicket-taker of the tournament, along with teammate Varun Chakaravarthy. His best came in the tournament’s final against New Zealand, claiming 4/15. It was not just timely scalps, but Bumrah's ability to disrupt the opponent's batting rhythm that separated him. His laser accuracy and ability to fire yorkers at the death turned his overs into choke points for the opponent.

Lungi Ngidi (South Africa) 7 matches, 12 wickets, 15.58 average, 7.19 economy

South Africa's Lungi Ngidi became one of the best pacers in the tournament. He took 12 wickets in 7 innings, with an economy rate of 7.19. His best performance came against Canada, where he took 4 wickets for 31 runs. But his best performance in real terms came against India, in which he did not get any wicket but his economy was praiseworthy. He gave away only 15 runs in 4 overs in that match and played a major role in South Africa's 76-run victory against India. His slower ball and variations were unbeatable for the Indian batsmen that day. He used his experience, variation and slower ball to great effect on largely batting-friendly tracks.

Adil Rashid (England) 8 matches, 13 wickets, 19.23 average, 8.15 economy

Adil Rashid is the only specialist spinner in the team of the tournament. He used the conditions well, especially in Sri Lanka, to help England win six of their first seven matches.
While his best on paper was a 3/36 against Scotland, Rashid played a crucial role in the wins over Sri Lanka and New Zealand in the Super Eights, and played an important role in taking England to the semi-finals. He took 13 wickets in 8 matches, with an economy rate of 8.15. 

Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwe) 6 matches, 13 wickets, 14.46 average, 7.88 economy

The 2026 T20 World Cup turned into a dream campaign for Zimbabwe, with Blessing Muzarabani playing the biggest role in their success. Zimbabwe produced their best performance at the T20 World Cups as they competed in the Super Eights. They were undefeated in the group stage, defeating Australia, Sri Lanka, and Oman. In this success, Muzarabani played a crucial role. He took 13 wickets in 6 matches of the tournament, with an economy rate of 7.88. In the group stage, the pacer claimed nine wickets in three matches.