The former World Cup winning Australia captain, Ricky Ponting, has noted that Steve Smith’s numbers are better than anyone else in the countries T20 cricket at the moment and if the team suffers an injury set back during the T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, then Smith might be called up to replace him in the squad after strong performance in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025/26.

The 36-year-old Steve Smith has overall smashed 1094 runs in 55 T20 innings at an average of Justice under twenty 5 when a striker of 125.45 with the help of five half centuries at the best score of 90 with his last T20 I clash for the national side coming in Auckland two years ago.

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“His numbers stack up better than anybody else's. But when you've been out, and the side's had some success, and Travis Head and Mitch Marsh are the incumbents, it's hard to push one of those two guys out of an opening slot.” Ponting expressed in a chat on ICC.

Ricky Ponting wants Steve Smith to feature in T20 World Cup 2026 

After finishing the Test summer for the national side, Smith returned to the Big Bash League (BBL) for the Sydney Sixers with one short of 300 runs in six innings at an average of nearly 60 and a strike rate of 167.97, with the help of one century and two half-centuries at the best score of 100 runs.

“And poor Steve has probably been pigeonholed as an opening batsman only in the T20 game, which probably has held him back a little bit in the last few years as far as selection is concerned. But he's only one little injury away. He's the next cab off the rank, and he's ready to go.” Ponting explained in the discussion.

Smith can be vital while opening the batting for Australia in the shortest format and use the power play with full power and execution, which will be very vital in this tournament for the 2021 T20 champions, as he can be brutal with Travis Head in the opening slot of the shortest format.