T20 Cricket World Cup: Who will come out on top?

The 10th edition of the Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup began on the 7th February, with 55 matches taking place across eight different venues in host nations India and Sri Lanka.

The format of the competition remains as idiosyncratic as ever, with the 20 teams initially being split into four groups of five before the top two teams in each group progress to the Super 8s, consisting of two groups of four. The top two from each of the Super 8s’ groups will then advance to the semifinals, before the final is played on the 8th of March.

With a couple more games to go in each five-team group, here is everything you need to know so far about the 2026 iteration of cricket’s biennial T20 jamboree.

It makes sense to start in Group A with the reigning champs and co-hosts, India. No home team has ever won a men’s T20 World Cup before, but India have made the perfect start, overcoming a shaky opening batting display against USA with some heroics from their captain Suryakumar Yadav, before registering two commanding wins over Namibia and arch-rivals Pakistan. Pakistan will go through instead of USA with a win over already-eliminated Namibia in their final group game, but look unlikely to pose a significant threat in the Super 8s.

England have looked anything but convincing so far but progress in second thanks to nervy wins

The real shock of the tournament so far took place in Group B, with 2021 champions Australia crashing out after stunning defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka in particular looked imperious in home conditions against the Aussies, with opener Pathum Nissanka hitting 100 not out from just 52 balls to secure their qualification to the Super 8s after earlier wins over Ireland and Oman. Zimbabwe will be joining them in the latter stages of the tournament thanks to some brilliant bowling performances, but it would require something seriously special for their run not to end there.

Group C is where we find England, who, after pre-tournament success against Sri Lanka, were expected to comfortably top a group containing the West Indies and relative cricketing minnows Nepal, Italy and Scotland. However, it’s the West Indies who have dominated proceedings with both bat and ball, dispatching Scotland, England and Nepal in convincing fashion to advance to the Super 8s at the earliest opportunity. England have looked anything but convincing so far but progress in second thanks to nervy wins over the three lesser experienced sides.

It is hard to see past India as overwhelming favourites

In Group D, 2024 runners-up South Africa will top the group unbeaten with a win over UAE in their final game, while New Zealand also go through after bludgeoning wins over Canada, Afghanistan and UAE. Afghanistan can count themselves desperately unlucky to not be in contention after a truly nail-biting loss to South Africa, but an opening defeat to New Zealand meant their tournament was over before it really had a chance to get going.

Looking ahead to the business end of the tournament, it is hard to see past India as overwhelming favourites. They are almost invincible at home, and they haven’t really had to get out of second gear yet. South Africa look the best placed of any team to cause them problems, and it’s easy to forget that Sri Lanka are in home conditions as well, but India are absolutely the team to beat in this Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup.