The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by the International Cricket Council in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, once again showed how important good spin bowling is in Asian conditions. The pitches helped the ball grip and turn. Because of this, spinners played a big role in controlling the run rate and taking key wickets at important times.

Many slow bowlers stepped up for their teams and gave match-winning performances during the tournament.  

Here are the five spinners who dominated the T20 World Cup 2026

1. Varun Chakravarthy

India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been one of the best spinners in the tournament. He has been very consistent and has taken at least one wicket in every match. He started with 1/24 against USA and then bowled a brilliant spell of 3/7 against Namibia. In the big match against Pakistan, he took 2/17 and followed it with 3/14 against Netherlands.

In the Super Eight stage, he continued to take wickets. He was a bit expensive in one match, giving 47 runs against South Africa. Even then, he is the leading spin wicket-taker of the tournament. He has taken 12 wickets in seven matches at an average of 15.33 and an economy rate of 7.66.

Also read -India's top 5 highest successful run-chases in T20 World Cup history ft. IND vs WI 2026

2. Maheesh Theekshana

Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana has also bowled very well. He started with 3/23 against Ireland and then took 2/11 against Oman. In a big match against Australia, he took 1/37. He did not take a wicket against Zimbabwe.

In the Super Eight stage, he gave some strong performances even though his team lost matches. He took 2/21 against England and 3/30 against New Zealand. He went wicketless against Pakistan. So far, he has taken 11 wickets in seven matches at an average of 18.54 and an economy rate of 7.41. He bowls in the powerplay and middle overs, which makes him very useful for his team.

3. Adil Rashid

England leg-spinner Adil Rashid had a mixed start. He gave 42 runs against Nepal but later came back strong with 2/16 against West Indies. He then took 3/36 against Scotland and 1/43 against Italy.

In the Super Eight stage, he bowled with more control. He took 2/13 against Sri Lanka, 1/31 against Pakistan, and 2/28 against New Zealand. Overall, he has taken 11 wickets in seven matches at an average of 19 and an economy rate of 7.83. He bowls well in the middle overs and often breaks important partnerships.

4. Rachin Ravindra

New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra has bowled very well, especially in Sri Lanka. In India, he played a small role and took one wicket each against Afghanistan and South Africa.

In the Super Eight stage in Sri Lanka, he bowled brilliantly. He took 4/27 against Sri Lanka and then 3/19 against England, though New Zealand lost that match. In five innings, he has taken nine wickets at an average of 9.77 and an economy rate of 6.76. He uses turning pitches very well.

5. Liam Dawson

England spinner Liam Dawson has also had a good tournament. He started with 2/21 against Nepal. He did not take a wicket against West Indies but then took 2/34 against Scotland. After another quiet match against Italy, he performed well in the Super Eight stage.

He took 2/27 against Sri Lanka, 3/24 against Pakistan, and 1/32 against New Zealand. In seven matches, he has taken 10 wickets at an average of 19 and an economy rate of 7.30. He controls the run rate and takes important wickets for his team.

India will face South Africa in the third match of Group 8 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat. India won all their league-stage matches to top the Group A points table. South Africa, on the other hand, also performed exceptionally well, winning all their matches and topping Group D. India won their last group match against the Netherlands by 17 runs. All-rounder Shivam Dube smashed 66 runs in 31 balls, hitting four fours and six sixes. In the bowling department, Varun Chakravarthy took three wickets and successfully defended the target. 

South Africa won their previous match by six wickets against the United Arab Emirates. They successfully chased down the target in just 13.2 overs. Dewald Brevis smashed 36 runs off 25 balls, while Ryan Rickelton scored 30 runs off 16 balls and helped his team to chase down the target. South Africa might not back the idea of going in with two left-arm spinners in George Linde and Keshav Maharaj, as the Indian batting lineup is left-hand heavy

Also Read: Top 5 batting performances in group stage of T20 World Cup 2026

IND vs SA Match Details

• Match: India vs South Africa, 43rd Match

• Date: 22nd February 2026

• Time: 7.00 PM IST

• Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad 

• Live Streaming: JioHotstar 

IND vs SA Weather Report

Pitch Report - Narendra Modi Stadium

It has played out really well, as the ball comes onto the bat nicely. However, fast bowlers will get some assistance, and pace-off deliveries are mighty effective at this venue. The average first-innings score at this venue is 190.

• Flat surface 

• High-scoring ground

• Quick outfield 

IND vs SA Recent Form

IND vs SA Head-to-Head Record (T20I)

• IND Wins - 18

• SA Wins - 12

Top Batters to Watch – IND vs SA

• Aiden Markram (SA): 178 runs in this tournament 

• Ishan Kishan (IND): 176 runs in this tournament 

• Suryakumar Yadav (IND): 162 runs in this tournament 

Top Bowlers to Watch – IND vs SA

• Varun Chakravarthy (IND): 9 wickets in this tournament 

• Lungi Ngidi (SA): 8 wickets in this tournament 

• Marco Jansen (SA): 7 wickets in this tournament 

IND vs SA Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If IND bats first

• Powerplay Score: 60–75

• Predicted Total: 200–220

• Match Result: IND to win

Scenario 2: If SA bats first

• Powerplay Score: 50–60

• Predicted Total: 175–190

• Match Result: IND to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

IND vs SA Predicted Playing XIs

India

Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Rinku Singh/Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.

South Africa 

Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada.

Why India is the favourite today

• Explosive top-order

• Good spin bowler 

• Home conditions 

IND vs SA Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

Based on current form, team balance, and superior batting strength, India are the favourites to win this ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya are expected to be the key performers.

Winning chances

IND: 58%

SA: 42%

IND vs SA Match FAQs

Former India cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth reckons Varun Chakravarthy as the modern-day great over Jasprit Bumrah amid the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The former skipper emphasizes Chakravarthy should be awarded with more credits than he receives. 

Team India stormed into the round of eight of the 2026 T20 World Cup as the undefeated side of Group A. It will be safe to write; Varun Chakravarthy supported the team with a steady bowling performance in all four matches of the group stage. In four matches, the Karnataka-born took 9 wickets in those 4 matches. 

As Srikkanth points out, batters often chose the wrong ways to judge Varun Chakravarthy's deliveries and ended up losing the stumps. The former cricketer, currently a cricket expert, said that the spinner mostly pitches the deliveries on the good length, around the off stump. After hitting the deck, the ball angles in and then turns, which often proves enough to trick a batter. 

Read More: Watch: Pakistan Cricketer’s Ex-Wife Makes Shocking Claims During T20 World Cup 2026

"Look at the pitch maps—most of his deliveries are around off-stump and middle-stump. Against right-handers, the ball just angles in slightly and then turns. His googly comes in sharply. Most of his wickets are from good length or just short of good length. Not even full deliveries. Even his so-called short balls are deceptive," Krishnamachari Srikkanth explains while speaking on his YouTube video.

Taking a step further, Kris Srikkanth put Chakravarthy ahead of Jasprit Bumrah, the pace spearhead of the Men in Blue.

Kris Srikkanth explains why Varun Chakravarthy is succeeding 

Varun, you are a modern-day great. I’m telling you honestly from my heart, not because you’re Tamil, not because you’re from Tamil Nadu or Chennai. No. Purely because of ability. Every batter is struggling. They don’t know how to face him. Frankly speaking, he doesn’t get enough credit," he added. 

"That’s exactly what Bumrah used to be a couple of years ago. Bumrah is still doing brilliantly."

Varun Chakravarthy's performance in the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2026:

February 7, 2026- 1/24 vs the United States 

February 12, 2026- 3/7 vs Namibia 

February 15, 2026- 2/7 vs Pakistan 

February 18, 2026- 3/14 vs Netharlands

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has named Varun Chakaravarthy as one of India’s key X-factor players for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. He also picked Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan as other match-winners for the team. The tournament will begin on Saturday, February 7, and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Ahead of the tournament, Manjrekar shared a video on Instagram on Friday, February 6. In the video, he named Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand as the strongest teams. He also said India are the best team in the tournament and have the highest chance of winning the trophy.

Manjrekar explained that his view is based on X-factor players who can change a match at any time. He said the more such players a team has, the better their chances of winning. He added that players like Varun Chakaravarthy can take quick wickets and turn the game around. Manjrekar said India have many such players, including Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya.

Also read -Watch: Suryakumar Yadav having fun with South Africa support staff during IND vs SA warm-up match

India Enters T20 World Cup 2026 With Strong Momentum

India will enter the T20 World Cup 2026 in good form after beating New Zealand 4-1 in their recent home T20I series. Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes this strong run, along with India’s match-winners, makes the team a top contender for the title.

In a recent video, Manjrekar praised India’s bowling attack and said other strong teams do not have as many X-factor bowlers as India. He highlighted key names who can change a match at any moment.

Manjrekar Praises India’s X-Factor Bowlers

“Bowling, very important. The other team that I mentioned, the strong team, don't quite have as many X factors in their bowling that India has. India have at least three. Bumrah, the master. Then you've got Varun Chakaravarthy, another X factor bowler. And Kuldeep Yadav on Indian pitches,” Manjrekar said.

He added that India have more X-factor players than other teams. “I may have missed a few Indian batters, but I'm thinking India has at least six or seven X factor players as opposed to the other teams, which don't have quite as many,” he added.

Manjrekar also spoke about the importance of bowling in big tournaments. “And especially in the bowling department, India won the last World T20 in the US and West Indies because of some fine bowling that India was able to defend. A score that wasn't huge. So, watch out for the team that has quality bowlers and India have that with the three magicians that I mentioned. Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy and right on top, Jasprit Bumrah,” he said.

India will begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on the opening day of the tournament against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Subcontinental tracks are expected to be the tactical bowlers' dream. Even though India is still expanding beyond batting, the masters of the white ball will eventually choose who wins the 2026 trophy.

These 5 bowlers have the skills they need to do well in a T20I era when scores often go above 200 runs.

1. Varun Chakaravarthy (India)

The "Mystery Spinner" made the most spectacular return in modern cricket history. Varun Chakaravarthy, India's best tactical weapon, will be the ICC's best T20I bowler at the 2026 World Cup. He had a great year in 2025, when he beat South Africa and England. Now, his ability to deliver leg-breaks and googlies from almost the same seam positions makes him almost impossible to read.

Varun Chakaravarthy is known for his great control during the powerplay overs, when he has consistently stopped the other team's openers with his variations. His economy rate of less than 7 runs per over in high-scoring games shows that he can keep most aggressive batting lineups from scoring big scores. His partnership with his duo spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the middle overs is now India's strongest weapon, constructing a spin web that won't be easy for any team out there to tackle.

Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Top 3 Lowest Team Scores in the ICC T20 World Cup History

2. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) 

No "watch out" list would be complete without the Afghan wizard. Rashid Khan enters 2026 as probably the most successful T20I bowler, having recently become the first to hit the 180-wicket milestone. His lightning-fast arm motion maintains the gold standard in T20I bowling.  

Rashid's years of working with tropical climates render him almost unplayable on the spinning track. The leg-spinner's variations, particularly a faster delivery and an unusual googly, keep hitters guessing throughout his spell. His leadership and calm approach under pressure contributed to Afghanistan's bowling power, making them a serious contender for the title.

3. Jacob Duffy (New Zealand) 

Jacob Duffy, possibly the most surprising name to some, has been the highest wicket-taker in 2025 for the Kiwis. He recently broke Sir Richard Hadlee's 40-year record for the most international wickets by a New Zealander in a single year, collecting 81 last year. His ability to manage the new ball alongside subtle pace alterations in the death overs has catapulted him into the top five in the world rankings, positioning him as the spearhead of the Kiwi attack. 

Duffy's success relies on his versatility and cricket intellect. Unlike typical fast bowlers who concentrate purely on pace, Duffy has perfected the knack of reading circumstances and modifying his angles accordingly. His yorkers in the death overs have proven lethal, with hitters striving to get beneath them for important boundary hits. His fitness and consistency in bowling four overs make him a key addition to New Zealand's campaign.

3. Abrar Ahmed (Pakistan)

Abrar Ahmed, who is now ranked No. 2 in the ICC, is Pakistan's solution to the spin-heavy conditions in the subcontinent. Abrar, who is famed for his "finger-spun" mystery bowling, has been quite decent in the middle overs. He came into the competition with a career-best ICC rating of 748.

The emerging star from Pakistan is known for breaking up important partnerships, often taking crucial wickets when batsmen seem to be in charge. His record against left-handed batters is especially excellent since his different types of pitches make it hard for left-handed batters to take control of the middle overs.

5. Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) 

With half of the competition taking place in Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga is probably the most deadly player on home turf. He is a consistent match-winner who rates among the top five in the world and thrives under the stress of captaincy. His control of the googly and excellent wicket-taking record against the best batting units in Colombo gives him an extra advantage over the tournament's leading wicket-taker. 

Wanindu Hasaranga's all-around abilities increase his value, as his fearless hitting in the lower order often leads to important runs. The Sri Lankan skipper has an incredible ability to scoop up wickets in a row, frequently dismantling middle orders on his own. His achievements in previous matches on home soil were nothing short of outstanding, and his comfort with the conditions offers him a psychological advantage over visiting teams.

India are set to face New Zealand in the final match of the five-match T20I series in Thiruvananthapuram, and team management are considering three key changes to their playing XI ahead of the decider. With the series already won, this fixture presents an opportunity to adjust combinations and manage player workloads before the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

One potential change is the return of all-rounder Axar Patel, who missed earlier games due to a minor injury and could rejoin the side to strengthen both batting depth and spin options. India may also look to rest some frontline players to balance fitness concerns, particularly with a hectic international calendar approaching. This tactical rotation could include resting senior quicks or all-rounders to give emerging talents a chance.

Another area of focus is the batting order, where the return of dynamic batters could add firepower in the middle overs. The final T20I is likely to feature a mix of experienced campaigners and promising youngsters as India fine-tune their setup and assess bench strength. These changes reflect a strategic approach to maintain momentum and experiment with combinations ahead of major tournaments.

See Also: Watch: Pakistan reaches out to USA to complain on BCCI power in cricket ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

#1 Ishan Kishan for Jasprit Bumrah

Initial reports had indicated that Jasprit Bumrah would feature in the first, third and fifth T20Is against New Zealand, but the pacer eventually played the fourth match instead. With that in mind, India could consider resting Bumrah for Saturday’s game to manage his workload. The team may also look to tweak their combination if the fast bowler is given a break.

Should Bumrah be rested, India are expected to strengthen their batting depth by adding an extra batter. In the previous match, Harshit Rana batted at No. 7, but including Ishan Kishan would provide more stability and firepower. The team management has hinted at Kishan’s inclusion, confirming that he has recovered from the niggle that ruled him out of the fourth T20I.

#2 Varun Chakaravarthy for Ravi Bishnoi

Varun Chakaravarthy has sat out the last two T20Is and is likely to make his return in the series finale. To accommodate him, Ravi Bishnoi appears the most likely player to be rested, especially since he is not part of India’s T20 World Cup squad. This change would allow the team to focus on players central to their plans for upcoming major tournaments.

Bishnoi had been included as a backup option in case Washington Sundar was unavailable, but Sundar is expected to regain full fitness ahead of the ICC event. As a result, prioritising Bishnoi’s game time is less important at this stage. Instead, the team management may look to ensure Varun Chakaravarthy regains rhythm and sharpness across different bowling phases before the tournament.

#3 Axar Patel for Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya neither bowled nor made a significant impact with the bat in the previous match, which strengthens the case for resting him in the fifth T20I against New Zealand. Having featured in all four games so far, the all-rounder has been consistently involved, even if he hasn’t gone all out in the field. With his fitness needing careful management, a break could be beneficial ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Axar Patel appears to have fully recovered from the finger injury he picked up in the series opener and is well placed to step in. His inclusion would allow India to manage Hardik’s workload while maintaining balance in both batting and bowling departments.

Team India enjoyed a memorable year in T20Is in 2025. They played 21 matches, winning 15 and losing only three. One match ended in a tie, while two produced no result. As a result, the Men in Blue finished the year with a win percentage of 71.42 in the T20I format.

India began the year with a dominant 4–1 series win against England at home and ended 2025 with a 3–1 home series victory over South Africa. Between these two series, they won the Asia Cup in the UAE without losing a single match, registering six wins and one tie. Team India also defeated Australia 2–1 in a rain-affected series in Australia.

Several Indian bowlers delivered outstanding performances in T20Is throughout the year. In this feature, we highlight the top five T20I performances by Indian bowlers in 2025.

Also Read -Watch: ‘6, 4, 2, 6, 6, 6’ — Kieron Pollard Smashes 30 Runs in a Single Over in ILT20 Against Dubai Capitals

5. Varun Chakaravarthy (4–53) vs South Africa, Ahmedabad

Leg-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy was India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is in 2025. He played 20 matches and took 36 wickets at an average of 13.19 and an economy rate of 7.08. His figures of 4–53 came in India’s last T20I of the year against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Team India were defending 231 runs, and Varun’s four wickets helped them win the match by 30 runs.

Varun struck in his first over when Reeza Hendricks (13) was caught at midwicket. He conceded 23 runs in his second over to Dewald Brevis and Quinton de Kock but bounced back strongly. He dismissed Aiden Markram (6) and Donovan Ferreira (0) on consecutive balls and later removed George Linde (16) with a wrong’un.

4. Harshit Rana (3–33) vs England, Pune

Young fast bowler Harshit Rana played six T20Is in 2025 and took seven wickets. His best figures of 3–33 came on his debut against England in Pune. India won the fourth T20I of the series by 15 runs.

Defending a target of 181, Harshit made an impact as a concussion substitute. With his second ball, he dismissed Liam Livingstone (9), who edged to the wicketkeeper. Jacob Bethell (6) was next, miscuing an off-cutter to long-on. Harshit took his third wicket when Jamie Overton (19) edged a length delivery onto his stumps.

3. Arshdeep Singh (3–35) vs Australia, Hobart

Arshdeep Singh was India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is, despite missing a few matches in 2025. When given the chance, he delivered strong performances. His spell of 3–35 against Australia in Hobart earned him the Player of the Match award.

India bowled first and restricted Australia to 186 for 6. Arshdeep struck in the opening over by dismissing Travis Head (6). He then removed Josh Inglis (1), who was caught at fine leg. His third wicket came when Marcus Stoinis (64) was caught at long-on. India chased down 187 runs and won by five wickets.

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2. Varun Chakaravarthy (5–24) vs England, Rajkot

Varun Chakaravarthy was the only Indian bowler to take a five-wicket haul in T20Is in 2025. He returned outstanding figures of 5–24 against England in Rajkot. Varun was named Player of the Match, even though India failed to chase a target of 172.

He began by dismissing Jos Buttler (24), who was caught behind. Jamie Smith (6) was caught at deep midwicket, while Jamie Overton (0) was bowled first ball by a quicker delivery. Varun then removed Brydon Carse (3) and Jofra Archer (0) to complete a memorable spell.

1. Kuldeep Yadav (4–30) vs Pakistan, Dubai

Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav had an excellent year in T20Is. He played 10 matches and picked up 21 wickets at an average of 10.23 and an economy rate of 7.04. His standout performance came in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan in Dubai, where he claimed figures of 4–30.

Bowling first, India restricted Pakistan to 146 runs. Kuldeep dismissed Saim Ayub (14), caught at backward point, and then removed Salman Agha (8). He trapped Shaheen Shah Afridi (0) lbw with a googly and completed his spell by having Faheem Ashraf (0) caught at long-off.

Team India enjoyed a strong year in ODIs in 2025. The Men in Blue played 14 matches, winning 11 and losing only three. They finished the year with an impressive win percentage of 78.57.

India began 2025 with a 3–0 ODI series win over England at home. They then remained unbeaten in the Champions Trophy held in the UAE. Later in the year, Team India lost the ODI series in Australia by 2–1. However, they ended the year on a positive note with a 2–1 home series win against South Africa.

Among the bowlers, young pacer Harshit Rana emerged as India’s leading wicket-taker in ODIs in 2025. In 11 matches, he took 20 wickets at an average of 25.55. Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav finished second on the list, claiming 19 wickets in 11 games at an average of 29.

Also Read -Agarkar forced Shubman Gill into T20I squad ! Shocking claim ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Ravindra Jadeja took 12 wickets, while Mohammad Shami and Axar Patel picked up 11 wickets each to complete the top five list.

Indian bowlers delivered several match-winning performances in ODIs during 2025. In this feature, we take a look at the top five ODI bowling performances by Team India in the year.

1. Mohammad Shami (5-53) vs Bangladesh, Dubai

Veteran pacer Mohammad Shami played seven ODIs for Team India in 2025. He picked up 11 wickets at an average of 30.63 and an economy rate of 5.92. Nine of his wickets came in the Champions Trophy in Dubai.

Shami delivered an excellent spell of 5-53 from 10 overs against Bangladesh in the group-stage match. Bangladesh batted first after winning the toss, but Shami’s five-wicket haul restricted them to 228 runs.

He dismissed Soumya Sarkar in the first over, caught behind. He then removed Mehidy Hasan Miraz (5) at slip with a fine outswinger. Shami also picked up the wickets of Jaker Ali (68), Tanzim Hasan Sakib (0), and Taskin Ahmed (3). India chased the target comfortably, with Shubman Gill scoring an unbeaten 101 off 129 balls.

2. Prasidh Krishna (4-66) vs South Africa, Visakhapatnam

Team India pacer Prasidh Krishna had a challenging ODI season in 2025, especially in terms of economy rate. The right-arm fast bowler took eight wickets in four matches at an average of 31.37 and an economy rate of 7.72.

Prasidh’s best performance came in the deciding ODI against South Africa in Visakhapatnam, where he returned figures of 4-66. Although he conceded runs, he picked up key wickets.

India bowled first, and Prasidh trapped Matthew Breetzke (24) lbw. He then forced Aiden Markram (1) into a false shot before dismissing Quinton de Kock, who scored 106. South Africa were restricted to 270, which India chased down in 39.5 overs.

3. Harshit Rana (4-39) vs Australia, Sydney

Young pacer Harshit Rana faced criticism for inconsistent performances across formats. However, finishing 2025 as India’s leading ODI wicket-taker highlighted his impact.

Harshit starred with figures of 4-39 against Australia in Sydney, helping India avoid a 3-0 series whitewash. Australia opted to bat first, and Harshit struck early by dismissing Alex Carey (24), with a brilliant catch by Shreyas Iyer.

He then removed Mitchell Owen (1) at slip and later dismissed Cooper Connolly (23) and Josh Hazlewood (0). Australia were bowled out for 236, and India chased the target in 38.3 overs.

4. Kuldeep Yadav (3-40) vs Pakistan, Dubai

Kuldeep Yadav delivered several strong spells in ODIs in 2025. While he had four-wicket hauls against South Africa earlier in the year, his best effort came against Pakistan in Dubai during the Champions Trophy.

Kuldeep returned figures of 3-40 from nine overs. He dismissed Salman Agha (19), trapped Shaheen Shah Afridi lbw on the first ball, and removed Naseem Shah (14). Pakistan were restricted to 241 after looking set for a bigger total. India chased the target easily, led by a century from Virat Kohli.

5. Varun Chakaravarthy (5-42) vs New Zealand, Dubai

Varun Chakaravarthy impressed in limited ODI appearances in 2025. In four matches, he took 10 wickets at an average of 19 and an economy rate of 4.75.

His best performance came against New Zealand in Dubai, where he claimed 5-42. Chasing 250, New Zealand were bowled out for 205 in 45.3 overs.

Chakaravarthy dismissed Will Young (22) with a googly, trapped Glenn Phillips (12) lbw, removed Michael Bracewell (2), and then picked up Mitchell Santner (28) and Matt Henry (2) to complete a match-winning spell.

The BCCI has unveiled India’s 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be played across India and Sri Lanka in February–March. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side, despite a challenging year with the bat, thanks to his strong leadership record in T20Is.

The squad selection threw up a few talking points. Shubman Gill has been left out, while Ishan Kishan has earned a recall after a sensational Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign. Jitesh Sharma has also made way for finisher Rinku Singh.

Interestingly, five members of the 2026 squad were also part of India’s disappointing 2021 T20 World Cup campaign in the UAE. Here’s a closer look at those players and how their journeys have evolved since then.

1. Ishan Kishan

Many fans may have forgotten that Ishan Kishan was part of India’s 2021 T20 World Cup squad. He played just one match during that campaign and was dismissed for four against New Zealand in Dubai, falling to Trent Boult while opening the innings.

Fast forward to 2025–26, and Kishan has forced his way back with sheer weight of runs. He finished as the leading run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, smashing 517 runs in 10 innings at an average of 57.44 and a staggering strike rate of 197.32, including two centuries. One of those hundreds came in the final, underlining his big-match temperament. With the 2026 World Cup at home, Kishan will be eager to rewrite his T20 World Cup story.

2. Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav was still finding his feet in international cricket when he played his first T20 World Cup in 2021. Having debuted earlier that year, he featured in four matches and scored 42 runs across three innings, showing glimpses of his flair but without a defining knock.

Now India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar enters the 2026 event under pressure after a lean run in 2025, where he managed just 218 runs in 19 innings. Despite the dip in form, his leadership credentials and past match-winning ability remain key reasons for the selectors backing him.

3. Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya was a member of the 2021 squad but was not at full fitness during the tournament. He played all five matches, scoring 69 runs at a strike rate of 153.33, including a blistering unbeaten 35 off 13 balls against Afghanistan. However, he bowled only two overs in the entire competition due to fitness concerns.

ALSO SEE: Indian ODI World Cup-winning star appointed as Delhi Capitals captain for WPL 2026

Since then, Pandya has re-established himself as one of India’s most important all-rounders. A vital cog in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, he heads into the 2026 edition in good rhythm and will be crucial for balance and finishing power.

4. Jasprit Bumrah

Even in India’s disappointing 2021 campaign, Jasprit Bumrah stood out. The pace spearhead picked up seven wickets in five matches at an average of 13.57 and an economy of just 5.08, delivering consistently with the new ball and at the death.

Bumrah’s stature has only grown since then. He was named Player of the Tournament in India’s victorious 2024 T20 World Cup, claiming 15 wickets at a remarkable average of 8.26. Once again, he will be India’s biggest weapon with the ball in 2026.

5. Varun Chakaravarthy

Varun Chakaravarthy’s 2021 T20 World Cup was one to forget. He went wicketless in three matches and conceded 71 runs in 11 overs, after which he was dropped from the national setup.

The mystery spinner, however, has scripted an impressive comeback. Strong IPL performances paved the way for his return to the T20I side, and he recently starred as Player of the Series against South Africa, taking 10 wickets in four matches. From being a 2021 setback, Chakaravarthy now shapes up as a genuine X-factor for India in 2026.

The mystery spinner of the Indian cricket team, Varun Chakravarthy, has been excellent with the ball during the first couple of T20Is of the five-match series against South Africa at home. He leaked only six runs in the first two overs at an economy rate of three, which built the pressure on the batters. 

On the third ball of the 14th over of the first innings, Donovan Ferreira went for a massive slog sweep to the full-length delivery as the batter backed himself to nail this over the mid-wicket region. He swung his willow and left nothing in the tank, but ended up missing the ball completely to lose the leg stump, and got dismissed for 20 runs in 15 balls.

See Also: Watch: Arshdeep Singh dismisses Reeza Hendricks in very first over during IND vs SA 3rd T20I in Dharamshala

On the opening ball of the 16th over, Marco Jansen tried to defend the fullish delivery as he didn’t have a clue to the spin on that one and thought it would go away, but it came in to sneak through the gate. Jansen returned to the pavilion for two runs as the Proteas were restricted to 77/7.

Varun Chakravarthy dismisses Marco Jansen and Donovan Ferreira

It was the third time Jansen was dismissed by Chakravarthy in the shortest format in five innings, making 18 runs in nine deliveries. The Tamil Nadu spinner found this place at the fourth place in the list of 50 wickets in T20Is with the fewest deliveries among the full member nations. He bowled 672 balls for the mark, as Ajantha Mendis had 600 balls.

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For India, Varun became the second fastest for 50 T20I wickets in 32 matches, while the left-arm wrist spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, got to the record in 30 matches. South Africa never got going with the bat in the game and kept losing wickets.

The Proteas finished the first innings for 117 runs, getting bundled out in 20 overs. Chakravarthy finished with 2/11 while Kuldeep ended with 2/12 in two overs. Everyone, getting a ball in the innings, was awarded at least one wicket, which was a pleasing all-round performance.