Several players are in top form ahead of T20 World Cup 2026.
Even if no one noticed, several players from big teams are in top form ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. While the focus will remain on established names, these underrated players can do the job in their respective departments.
From England to West Indies, a lot of players have lately flown under the radar despite impressing at every step. However, their teams understand their value and will expect them to do the heavy lifting at the mega event.
We look at five players who are going into the T20 World Cup 2026 in peak form.
Sam Curran has been in top form in T20Is and T20s in general. He just won the Player of the Series award in Sri Lanka, where he performed with both bat and ball. Since December 2025, Curran has 547 runs at an average of 49.72 and a strike rate of 134.39 in 18 innings, including five fifties.
Additionally, he has 15 wickets at 31.46 runs apiece in 17 outings, comprising a best of 3/28. Curran has improved massively and proved his utility with both bat and ball. In sub-continent conditions, his value will also remain immense, especially in Sri Lanka, and England will bank on his experience to regain the glory.
Shai Hope is among the most improved T20 cricketers in world cricket at the moment. He has worked on his strike rate and spin game. Since then, the West Indies captain has been a consistent run-scorer and led his team from the front.
He has 1978 runs at an average of 36.62 and a strike rate of 129.11 in 63 innings, including 11 fifties and three centuries, since last year. Recently, Hope was involved in SA20 2026, where he performed reasonably well for Pretoria Capitals. In subcontinent conditions, he might be more effective and will dictate how far West Indies go in the T20 World Cup 2026.
ALSO READ:
Finn Allen is in the form of his life. He enjoyed a fabulous Big Bash League (BBL) 2025/26, where he was the leading run-scorer, with 466 runs at an average of 42.36 and a strike rate of 184.19 in 11 innings, including one fifty and a century. The pitches in Asian conditions will be different to what was on offer in Australia, but he showed his value straight away with a rapid fifty against India in the fifth T20I.
Allen is one of the most dynamic T20 batters in world cricket, with ample value at the top order. He will lead New Zealand’s batting unit and will be tasked to provide stable starts along with Tim Seifert in the powerplay. A lot will depend on how he performs in the tournament, and there are high chances of him being among the top scorers.
Adil Rashid played an instrumental role in England’s title run in 2022. He comes into the T20 World Cup 2026 in high form and with ample experience of these conditions. He was involved in the ILT20 2025/26, where he took 11 wickets at 22.63 runs apiece in 10 innings, and later had a fantastic Sri Lanka series, taking 5 wickets at an average of 13.80 in three outings.
Rashid will play a pivotal role for England since he is their lead spinner and understands these conditions better than any other spinner in the squad. That he is also in top form bodes well for the team going into the tournament. A top T20 World Cup 2026 with the ball can’t be ruled out, especially since England will play a few matches in Sri Lanka, where spin will play a dominant role.
Pathum Nissanka is another improved T20 batter who has worked on his powerplay batting. He now provides rapid starts from the top and is not a slow run-accumulator. Since 2025, Nissanka has 717 runs at an average of 32.59 and a strike rate of 147.22 in 23 T20I innings, including four fifties and a century.
He will play at home at T20 World Cup 2026, where he knows the conditions inside out. Additionally, he is a solid spin player and will be tasked with batting deep and quickly for Sri Lanka. Nissanka is the best batter in the team, and if Sri Lanka have to pose a threat, he must step up with the willow.
For more updates, follow CricXtasy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
