T20 World Cup 2026: Top five player battles to watch out for

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to begin on February 7 and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, featuring 20 teams battling for the ultimate prize. India enter the tournament as one of the strongest favourites and as the defending champions, having lifted the trophy in 2024 after defeating South Africa in a thrilling final.

As always, a global tournament brings not just team rivalries but also fascinating individual player battles that can define matches and shift momentum. During the course of the competition, several players will aim to dominate the opposition, either by piling on quick runs or by taking crucial wickets. 

Here are five player battles to watch out for in the T20 World Cup 2026

Abhishek Sharma vs Marco Jansen

Indian opener Abhishek Sharma has developed an intriguing contest with South African all-rounder Marco Jansen. He is known for his fearless approach and often attacks from the outset, using the crease aggressively to clear the ropes. In T20 cricket, Abhishek has faced Jansen eight times and scored at a strike rate exceeding 200. However, Jansen’s extra bounce and awkward angles have troubled him consistently, making this a high-voltage battle at the top of the innings.