From Abhishek Sharma To Dewald Brevis: Top Debutants Who May Dominate T20 World Cup 2026

The T20 World Cup 2026 will begin in a few days and there will be plenty of star power on the show. Amid the already established stars, there will be young guns who will be hungry to leave their mark in T20's biggest international tournament.

Growing T20 league cricket has ensured that these cricketers, some of whom are still in their early 20s, have honed their skills to the best of their abilities and are now battle ready. 

Here we look at seven players who will be appearing at the T20 World Cup for the first time and why they need to be taken seriously!

1. Abhishek Sharma (India)

Role: Opening batter

India's latest batting sensation, Abhishek Sharma, enters the World Cup as the No.1 ranked T20I batter.

A dynamic left-hander, he has already smashed two T20I hundreds in 38 matches, maintaining one of the highest strike rates in world cricket. His fearless powerplay batting defines India's ultra-aggressive approach.

Abhishek has been coached and mentored by Yuvraj Singh, and legends like Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting have praised his potential. His T20 strike rate and franchise numbers underline his readiness for the big stage. His ability to dominate from ball one makes him India's tone-setter. 

T20 stats: Matches - 173 | Runs - 5,100 | Highest - 148 | Strike Rate - 173.58 | 100s/50s - 8/30

2. Jacob Bethell (England)

Role: Batting all-rounder

A rising English star, Jacob Bethell combines clean hitting with left-arm spin. His gritty 154 in the 2024-25 Ashes Test showcased his temperament, while his T20 skills earned him contracts in the IPL (RCB), BBL (Melbourne Renegades) and SA20 (Paarl Royals).

Bethell became England's youngest-ever men's captain at 21 years and 329 days during their 2025 T20I tour of Ireland. 
A natural leader and superb fielder, he can change a game with bat, ball or brilliance in the field.

T20 stats: Matches - 89 | Runs - 1,563 | Batting Strike Rate - 140.30 | Highest - 87 | Best Bowling - 4/11 | Wickets - 22

3. Jacob Duffy (New Zealand)

Role: Opening fast-medium bowler

New Zealand's tall, bustling quick Jacob Duffy made an unforgettable T20I debut in 2020 with a 4/33 match-winning spell. After years of sporadic selection, he established himself as a regular from mid-2025 and now heads into the World Cup as one of the top-ranked T20I bowlers globally, sitting at No. 2 with 699 rating points.

Deadly with the new ball, he is New Zealand's most highly ranked pace bowler in the format.

T20 stats: Matches | 163 | Wickets - 186 | Best Bowling - 5/18 | Economy - 8.44 | Strike Rate - 17.50

4. Cooper Connolly (Australia)

Role: Batting all-rounder 

The 22-year-old Cooper Connolly has been widely tipped as Australia's next major all-format star. A left-handed power hitter and clever left-arm spinner, he had a standout BBL season with the Perth Scorchers, producing crucial knocks and important wickets.

He has already debuted for Australia across formats (2024-25) and is known for his electric fielding and clutch temperament-best displayed when he guided the Scorchers to the BBL title with a famous 25 off 11 in 2023.

T20 stats: Matches - 50 | Runs - 856 | Batting Strike Rate - 132.91 | Highest - 77 | Best Bowling - 3/23 | Wickets - 30

5. Dewald Brevis (South Africa) 

Role: Middle-order batter 

Nicknamed "Baby AB", Dewald Brevis has modelled his game on AB de Villiers-often with stunning results. A franchise cricket superstar, Brevis holds the record for the highest T20 score in South Africa: 162 off 57 balls.

He has played T20 cricket around the world-IPL, SA20, CPL, MLC, Vitality Blast-and remains one of the most destructive 360-degree hitters on the planet.

T20 stats: Matches - 127 | Runs - 3,033 | Highest - 162 | Strike Rate - 154.27 | 100s/50s - 3/13

6. Kwena Maphaka (South Africa)

Role: Fast bowler

One of the brightest fast-bowling talents in world cricket, 19-year-old Kwena Maphaka dominated the 2024 ICC U-19 World Cup, taking 21 wickets and becoming the first bowler ever to claim three five-wicket hauls in a single edition.

His breakout tournament earned him IPL contracts with Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals, and he has now made his full senior debut across formats. A skiddy left-arm quick, Maphaka brings pace, accuracy and match-winning ability.

T20 stats: Matches - 53 | Wickets - 54 | Best Bowling - 4/18 | Economy - 8.86 | Strike Rate - 28.14

7. Wayne Madsen (Italy) ional 

Role: Batter 

Italy's veteran captain Wayne Madsen is no newcomer to elite sport. Before cricket, he represented South Africa in the 2006 Hockey World Cup. At 42, the Derbyshire stalwart brings nearly two decades of professional cricket experience, including stints in the PSL, SA20, The Hundred and Vitality Blast.

Although Italy may be underdogs in their first-ever T20 World Cup appearance, Madsen's remarkable story-international hockey player turned cricketing leader-makes him a compelling figure to watch.

T20 stats: Matches - 219 | Runs - 5,516 | Highest - 109* | Strike Rate - 135.16 | 100s/50s - 2/35

ALSO READ | T20 World Cup: From Shahid Afridi To Jasprit Bumrah — Complete List Of Player Of The Tournament Winners

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