With just under a year to go, the buzz around the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is steadily growing. So far, 13 teams have officially qualified for the tournament, which will feature a total of 20 sides. India and Sri Lanka, as co-hosts, were the first to seal their places. Joining them are the top 7 teams from the Super Eights stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup: Australia, England, South Africa, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, West Indies,India and the ever-impressive United States, who reached the knockout phase in their home tournament.

In addition to those nine, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Ireland secured direct entry through their ICC T20I rankings as of June 30, 2024. These selections reward consistency and high performance over the last year. The most recent team to qualify is Canada, who topped the Americas regional qualifier with an unbeaten run. It’s a huge milestone for Canadian cricket, marking their return to the world stage and reflecting the sport’s steady global growth beyond traditional powerhouses.

That leaves 7 spots still available, and they’ll be filled via regional qualifiers over the next few months. The stakes are high, with two teams each qualifying from Europe and Africa, while three spots will come from the combined Asia and East Asia-Pacific regional final, which will be hosted by Oman. These tournaments not only offer a path to the World Cup but also a chance for lesser-known nations to showcase their passion and progress on a global stage.
 ALSO READ: Jadeja is not a front-line spinner... ' - Former India coach slams team management for including Ravindra Jadeja in ENG vs IND Test XI

The Final Stretch to the 2026 T20 World Cup: Where Global Dreams Are Forged or Forgotten

The European Qualifier is scheduled for July, the African event in September, and the Asia–EAP tournament in October. Each region brings its own set of rising contenders  from familiar names like the Netherlands and Scotland to ambitious sides like Namibia, UAE, and Nepal. These matches are expected to be intense, emotional, and deeply competitive.

As the cricketing world holds its breath, seven teams are now just a few matches away from a dream. For them, qualifying isn’t just about making it to the World Cup it’s about proving that on the biggest stage, the gap between giants and dreamers is closing fast.

Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana believes that the upcoming five-match T20I series against England will play a pivotal role in India’s preparations for the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in similar conditions next year. With the matches taking place during the English summer, Mandhana sees this series as a golden opportunity for players to adapt to local conditions ahead of the marquee event. "Since we have a T20 World Cup next year around the same time, around the summer in the UK, which is again similar conditions, I'm sure the five T20Is will be a good prep for a lot of the girls and for us also to see the conditions and how they suit our game too,” she said.

The Indian squad features several young players making their first tour of England, including Kranti Gaud and Sree Charani. Mandhana stressed that spending time in English conditions before the series has been crucial for the squad’s preparation. "It's been a good 25 days of prep; we had batters and bowlers camp at Bangalore at NCA and that was also very targeted and specific, keeping in mind this tour," she explained. India also arrived in England early to maximize acclimatization. "Of course, we came a little earlier here, a good eight days of prep, a few good practice matches, and we got to know a lot of things about the England conditions. For a lot of girls, it's their first England tour, so it was important for them to come here early and get used to the conditions," she added.

Mandhana also heaped praise on her opening partner, Shafali Verma, who has returned to the squad after a brief exclusion from the T20I setup in late 2024. Shafali had a stellar WPL campaign, finishing as the fourth-highest run-scorer and showing clear signs of form revival. "She's had an amazing year. Once the setback had come, she went to domestic cricket, scored bucketloads of runs, and had an amazing WPL. No one had any doubts about her talent, the way she had come into the Indian team and dominated,” Mandhana said.

Excited for Pace Unit and Shafali’s Comeback

Shafali’s domestic form has been equally impressive, topping the run charts in both the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy and the Challenger Trophy. “She is a world-class player and always will be, but for her to go back and do what she did in the last year was amazing to watch. She deserves this comeback, and I'm really excited to open with her again," Mandhana shared. Her return provides a boost to India’s top order, and her recent form promises explosive starts alongside Mandhana.

"Shafali Verma is a world class player, so she deserves this comeback to T20"
- Smriti Mandhana#TeamIndia #ENGvIND #INDvsENG https://t.co/dTaSPZ3D0K

— Cricket Cult (@CricketCult_) June 28, 2025

See Also: Ravi Shastri urges BCCI to push for bigger share of ICC revenue

The vice-captain also expressed enthusiasm for the new-look pace attack set to play in England. With regular bowlers Renuka Singh Thakur, Pooja Vastrakar, and Titas Sadhu unavailable due to injuries, Arundhati Reddy will lead a fresh group. "We have a new-look pace-bowling unit because, unfortunately, there are a few injuries that have happened over the last four to five months, but it is really exciting. I mean, the WPL has been good in terms of finding new people, and of course, the domestic system as well." She added, "The amount of matches the girls play nowadays—all these girls have a rich experience in the domestic format, so I'm really excited to see them.”

Rohit Sharma is widely Rohit considered to be one of cricket's most stylish and vibrant batsmen. Praised for his free-flowing strokeplay and boundary-clearing capability, Rohit has been a mainstay of India's limited-overs side for many years. His six-hitting talent, particularly in the high-stakes atmosphere of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, has turned many games India's way.

As the T20 World Cup began in 2007, has been a regular feature, playing every edition a testament to his ability, fitness, and reliability. In these nine editions, Rohit has hit 50 sixes in total, the second-highest six-hitter in the history of the tournament after the West Indies' big hitter Chris Gayle.

This is a year-wise analysis of Rohit Sharma's sixes in T20 World Cups:

 ALSO SEE:'It won't be easy' - Former India skipper reflects upon chances of Rohit-Virat duo in ODI World Cup 2027

Watch the Video: 

All Rohit Sharma 50 sixes Compilation in T20I World Cup 720p50.pic.twitter.com/5obb2Wkled

— Zeref (@Techno3012) June 22, 2025

Stellar Career Batting Stats That Define Rohit Sharma

The one in 2024 was particularly special, where Rohit smashed a record 15 sixes, the most in any World Cup series. Rohit's overall batting figures even more reflect his great ability. In Tests, he has amassed 4,301 runs at 40.57, with 12 centuries. In One Day Internationals, he has more than 11,000 runs at an average of almost 49, with 32 hundreds. His T20I stats are not bad either, with 4,231 runs at a strike rate of over 140.

Aside from his batting prowess, Rohit is a powerful leader and finisher at crunch times. His composed nature and acutely intelligent cricket brain have led India through numerous key instances. His T20 World Cup record-breaking six-hitting not only thrills the audience but also solidifies his place among cricket's new legends.

Bangladesh cricket starts afresh as wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das has been appointed the T20I captain. The Bangladesh Cricket Board communicated this on 4 May 2025, and Litton will lead the side through the 2026 T20 World Cup. After 2024 being a roller coaster season, this appointment represents a change in gear for Bangladesh cricket, with the objective of reinvigorating the T20 setup and developing a more robust squad that will be able to consistently get results in the future.

Litton Das has been appointed after former T20I captain Najmul Hossain Shanto made it clear a few weeks ago that he no longer wanted to captain in a T20I format due to work overload. Litton has aggressive bat skills and superb glovework, so he will be a great asset as captain in T20s. In addition, Litton has captain experience of leading Bangladesh in four T20Is prior to this assignment. Off-spinning all-rounder Mahedi Hasan has been appointed as vice-captain for the upcoming series against UAE and Pakistan. This appointment will be temporary, and the board will be grooming captains in the long-vectored future.

Bangladesh needed to make this decision at a critical stage, as it had been obvious for many years now that they have struggled in the shortest format of the game, especially since being such a successful ODI team over the last 10 years. There will be seven T20Is versus UAE and Pakistan in May/June 2025; Das will have an immediate chance to stamp his authority. His first task will be leading a 16-member squad featuring the return of key players like Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, and Mustafizur Rahman, all aiming to turn around Bangladesh’s T20 fortunes.

A Focus on Experience for the Future

Bangladesh Cricket Operations Chair Najmul Abedin elaborated, “Litton Das will lead the side until the T20 World Cup next year. For Litton, experience has been an important factor. We don’t have many experienced players in the current setup.” So the board does plan to incorporate Das' maturity while trying to deal with a new squad, following the loss of several established white-ball players.

Also Read: How much money did BCCI lose per game due to IPL 2025 suspension?

Das' tenure starts with two T20Is against UAE in Sharjah on May 17 and 19, and the five-match tour of Pakistan, which begins May 25. With Mahedi Hasan as the deputy for these tours, Das will have to incorporate experience with the up-and-coming cricketers to develop a squad for the 2026 men's T20 World Cup. There seems to be excitement amongst the fanbase - could this be the dawn of something special for Bangladesh cricket?

It was the year 2016 and the T20 world cup was hosted by India it was nearly a tight situation for India because they lost their first match against New Zealand where the black caps scored 127 runs batting first and India had got easy chase but what happened next was a freaking one where India was bowled out for 79 runs where India started their campaign with a loss. 

India's next match was against Bangladesh it was a do-or-die match for India to survive on the T20 battleground. India being the host and being in a critical situation was quite tough for them. India's next assignment was Bangladesh and they can be a handy customer on their given day.

Read More:  Rahane Live Up To The Expectations Regarding Captaincy Pressure

India Vs Bangladesh T20 match

India and Bangladesh match was scheduled in Banglore where India won the toss and chose to bat first. India did not get the nicest start they expected when they lost the early wickets of Rohit Sharma and Shikar Dhawan it was Raina who took the charge to take on he scored 30 of 23 balls where he hit 2 sixes supported by Virat Kohli too. But couldn't give the finishing touch that India required due to a quick session of wickets falling at regular intervals. Bangladesh bowlers kept their tight lines where captain Mortoza and Mustafizur Rahman claimed 2-2 wickets each. 

India scored 146 runs with the loss of 7 wickets, whereas Bangladesh had to chase 148 runs in the given 20 overs. Bangladesh went up to the flying start where their star batter Tamim Iqbal thrashed the Indian bowling attack. But the Indian team retaliated quickly. Where Jadeja and Ashwin roped back India into the game. Where Bangladesh too lost wickets in quick succession. The match was hung pretty much balance where runs and wickets were kept on soothing, though Mushfiqur Rahim fought. 

Read More: Chennai Super Kings Vs Mumbai Indians Playing 11 IPL Match 3

The Last Ball Drama

Bangladesh lost half of his side in 90 runs though lower middle order started to contribute where Jadeja and Ashwin removed the cream from the top. Though it was tension building time with every passing time the suspense and thrill started to increase, crowed went crazy for the match. The match came down to the final over.  Bangladesh required 11 of final 6 balls. 

It was high voltage drama where Hardik Pandya was called up to bowl the final over. The first ball was single by Mahmudullah and the next 2 balls were boundaries by Mushfiqur the celebration by him was a little too early because the next ball he was caught out and the second last was to Mahmudullah and he too got out and it was 2 for 1 and the tension was monstered.

Dhoni was ready with removed gloves knowing the move what the batsman was trying to do.It was Shuvagata who was in strike Hardik bowled the ball missed by the batsman and Dhoni ran down to the pitch to hit the wicket and it was given run out. By that India won the match by 1 run which ended the thrilling contest. 

Hardik Pandya, the dynamic Indian all-rounder, recently shared an image of his custom-made 'World Champion' ring, commemorating India’s T20 World Cup victory. His post instantly went viral, capturing the admiration of fans and sparking pride nationwide. Pandya’s influence in India's triumph, capped by his impressive performances both with bat and ball, has cemented his legacy in Indian cricket.

Hardik’s ‘World Champion’ ring: A tribute to T20 glory

Pandya’s ‘World Champion’ ring, featuring the T20 World Cup trophy design at its center, proudly displays “World” at the top and “Champion” inscribed at the bottom. It’s a fitting tribute to his role in India’s T20 World Cup win, where his 144 runs at a strike rate of 151.57 and 11 wickets at an economy of 7.64 were crucial. Pandya’s last-over heroics in the final match, where he defended 16 runs against South Africa, showcased his nerve and skill under pressure.

This victory also marked India’s first T20 World Cup title in 17 years, and Pandya’s contributions silenced critics who doubted him following his captaincy struggles with Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024. His post-victory celebrations and the viral image of him holding the trophy have only added to his popularity among fans.

See Also: Sundar & Jadeja shine, but New Zealand take the edge over India

Pandya to lead Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025 as core players are retained

Following his World Cup success, Mumbai Indians have shown faith in Pandya’s leadership by retaining him as captain for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. Despite a challenging 2024 season that saw Mumbai finish at the bottom of the table, the franchise retained their core squad, including Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, and Tilak Varma, with Pandya earning INR 16.35 crore.

Mumbai Indians have INR 45 crore left for the 2025 auction as they prepare for another season with a solid core. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see Pandya return to IPL action, hoping he can bring the same tenacity and skill that led India to the T20 World Cup title.

England will begin their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign on October 5 against Bangladesh in Sharjah. They will also play against South Africa, Scotland and West Indies in the group stage and from there the top two teams from the league stage will qualify for the semi-finals as well. Before that, veteran pace bowler Kate Cross said that England on their day can beat any team and she is supporting the side to do well.

"England, on their best day, can beat any team" - Kate Cross

The veteran speedster also shared England’s performance in the women’s Ashes last year and she also added that they all assembled in the UAE a few days ago and are training hard to get used to the conditions as well. She also added that there are still a few days left for them to prepare well and shared that the players will be full of confidence leading to the T20 World Cup as well.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024

“England, on their best day, can beat any team. I think the Ashes that we had last summer was a really good display of what we look like when we’re at our best. The girls have been out there in the UAE for about 10 days now so they've had a brilliant preparation. There's still a few games and days before the first game but I'm sure they'll go into it full of confidence,” Kate Cross said on Sky Sports News.

Tammy Beaumont applauds Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amy Jones

Meanwhile, another England batter Tammy Beaumont applauded senior cricketers Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amy Jones and she also believes that their experience and ability to guide the youngsters in the squad will help the team as well. She further added that the experience of spinner Sophie Ecclestone will be important as well.

“You look at Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amy Jones, I think they're really consistent and play the way that the team wants to play, and that allows the young players to go out there, express themselves and take the game on. Someone like Sophie Ecclestone too, she is a massive senior player having featured so many times and is the number one [T20] bowler in the world,” Tammy Beaumont said.

After leading India to a T20 World Cup win in 2024, Rahul Dravid is now looking at a new role in the IPL. Since finishing his time as head coach of the Indian team, Dravid has been linked with several IPL teams.

Rumors of Kolkata Knight Riders role

There were rumors that Dravid might join Kolkata Knight Riders after their mentor Gautam Gambhir, left to take Dravid’s former role with the Indian team. However, recent reports suggest Dravid is now in talks with Rajasthan Royals, his old IPL team.

While Dravid seeks a new challenge, Gambhir has already started his journey as India’s head coach, heading to Sri Lanka with the team. Before leaving, Gambhir acknowledged the big shoes he had to fill after Dravid’s successful tenure.

Talks with Rajasthan Royals

“Talks are going on between RR and Dravid, and an announcement in this regard is round the corner,” Times of India(TOI) quoted a source as saying.

Dravid’s T20 World Cup success

After India’s T20 World Cup victory against South Africa, Dravid joked about being ‘jobless’ and asked reporters if they had any job offers. Given his talent and vast experience, it’s no surprise that IPL teams are eager to have him.

Dravid chose not to continue as India’s head coach because he didn’t want to spend 10 months a year traveling and away from his family. The IPL, however is different. It only requires a 2-3 month commitment, which Dravid might find appealing.

Dravid’s IPL experience

Dravid has previously worked as a mentor and coach for IPL teams. He was the coach of Delhi Daredevils until 2017 when he left due to a ‘conflict of interest.’ Since then, he has coached India’s junior teams and was the head of the National Cricket Academy before taking the India job in 2021.

Now in talks with Rajasthan Royals, it will be interesting to see what role Dravid might take on with the team.

Hardik Pandya has shared that he and his wife Natasa Stankovic are going separate ways after four years together. He made this decision known on July 18, after much talk about it. Hardik announced this on his Instagram posting a joint statement with Natasa.

Rumors started during the 2024 Indian Premier League season, when a post on Reddit noted that Natasa had deleted their photos from her Instagram. At that time, she also removed Hardik’s name from her profile.

Mutual decision and co-parenting

In their statement, they said they’ve decided together to go separate ways and will co-parent their son Agastya.

“After being together for 4 years, Natasa and I have decided to part ways mutually. We tried our best together and gave it our all. We believe this is best for both of us. It was a tough decision, given the joy, respect, and companionship we shared as we grew our family,” Hardik shared on Instagram.

“We are blessed with Agastya, who will continue to be the focus of our lives. We’ll co-parent to ensure his happiness,” he added.

“We kindly ask for your support and understanding to give us privacy during this sensitive time,” Hardik concluded.

Hardik Pandya married Natasa Stankovic on May 31, 2020. They welcomed their child on July 30 of the same year. In February 2023 nearly three years after their wedding they renewed their vows in Udaipur.

On Valentine’s Day, they held a private ceremony in Udaipur with close friends and family, following Christian rituals with a white theme.

After the T20 World Cup in 2024 Pandya mentioned he was going through tough times but hadn’t discussed his troubles publicly. Recently, Pandya was not included in India’s leadership group for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, where they’ll play 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs.

In the past year, Hardik Pandya faced tough times both on and off the field. People booed him during the IPL matches, and Mumbai Indians didn’t perform well under his captaincy. However, he shined in the T20 World Cup.

According to PTI, the International Cricket Council (ICC) encountered a substantial financial setback, losing approximately USD 20 million (Rs 167 crore) while hosting the T20 World Cup 2024 games in the USA.

This issue is expected to be a major discussion point at the ICC Annual Conference starting Friday in Colombo. While it is not on the nine-point agenda of the Annual General Meeting (AGM), it will be addressed as part of a “post-event report.”

Financial losses from the T20 World Cup

A significant portion of the T20 World Cup, including the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match in New York, was held in the USA. The financial losses incurred will be scrutinized during the conference. The ICC’s decision to host major matches in the USA aimed to expand cricket’s global reach but resulted in unexpected financial challenges.

Many matches throughout the World Cup were abandoned due to rain, with a significant number of cancellations occurring in the USA due to cyclonic weather in Florida. As a result, the ICC lost ticket revenues from those matches and suffered a substantial loss.

SEE ALSO:All you need to know about Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024: From squad details to  live streaming

Will Jay Shah lead the ICC?

Another critical topic for discussion during the AGM is the potential replacement of ICC chairman Greg Barclay by BCCI secretary Jay Shah. According to PTI, an ICC source mentioned that there is keen interest in Shah’s transition to the leadership of the world body.

“It is not about how but when, as he still has one year left as BCCI secretary before his cooling-off period in the Indian board starts in 2025 as per the constitution,” the source said.

There is speculation about changing the chairmanship term from three terms of two years each to two terms of three years each, which would facilitate Shah’s transition from BCCI to ICC. If Shah emerges as a contender for the ICC role, current chairman Greg Barclay may have to leave his post before the end of his tenure.