T20 World Cup 2026: 3 surprising moments so far

As the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 heads toward its business end, the tournament has already delivered a series of surprising moments that have strengthened the competition. What looked predictable on paper has turned into one of the most unpredictable editions in the history of the tournament.

With every game carrying a knockout-like situation, this World Cup has already grabbed headlines. With now eight teams fighting for a spot in the semis, more moments are expected to take place as the competition progresses. 

Here are the 3 most surprising moments so far in T20 World Cup 2026

3. Australia's surprising exit

Australia’s campaign at the T20 World Cup ended in disappointment as the 2021 champions crashed out before the Super Eights. Placed in Group B, Australia managed just two wins from four matches, finishing with four points but failing to qualify after Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe advanced.

The tournament began on a positive note with a 67-run win over Ireland. However, the momentum was shaken with a 23-run defeat to Zimbabwe, exposing the team's batting and bowling. The situation worsened when Sri Lanka outplayed them by eight wickets, chasing down 182 with ease and effectively sealing Australia’s fate. Mitchell Marsh-led team ended their campaign on a high as they registered a nine-wicket victory against Oman. Despite flashes of promise, they failed to deliver collectively. Their early exit marks the first time since 2009 that Australia has bowed out in the group stage.