5 captains set to lead their nations for the first time in T20 World Cup

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, set to begin on February 7, has often been a tournament where leadership carries as much weight as individual brilliance. With razor-thin margins in the shortest format, captains are required to make rapid tactical calls, manage resources efficiently, and handle pressure moments that can decide matches within a few overs. The 2026 edition will mark a transitional phase for several teams, with a number of sides being led by captains experiencing a T20 World Cup for the first time.

Here are top 5 captains who will lead for the first time in T20 World Cup 2026

5. Suryakumar Yadav (India)

India will be led by Suryakumar Yadav at a T20 World Cup for the first time as the defending champions attempt an unprecedented feat: successfully defending the title and doing so on home soil.

One of the most influential batters in modern T20 cricket, Suryakumar remains central to India’s batting structure. Batting primarily at No. 4, he offers tactical flexibility, capable of stabilising an innings or accelerating from the outset. In 102 T20Is, he has scored 2,959 runs at an average of 36.99 and a strike rate of 165.04.

Any recent concerns over his batting form were addressed during India’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand, where he struck consecutive half-centuries at strike rates above 200. His captaincy record further strengthens his credentials, having remained unbeaten in series results and guiding India through an unbeaten Asia Cup campaign.

The key challenge for Suryakumar will be managing India’s abundance of match-winners in high-pressure knockout games. With resources such as Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya, Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy at his disposal, resource management will be critical. India will begin the tournament as favourites, but leadership under World Cup scrutiny will define their title defence.