ICC T20 World Cup cricket tips and predictions – Copybet
The 2026 T20 World Cup begins on Saturday and defending champions India are once again the team to beat with home advantage.
They had to dig deep to win the 2024 final against South Africa in Barbados, but are worthy favourites to retain their title this time around.
ICC T20 World Cup
India and Sri Lanka are co-hosting the tournament, so fancied contenders such as Australia, England and South Africa must get to grips with some unfamiliar conditions.
The depth of India's T20 talent pool is demonstrated by the fact that multi-format stars such as Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul have been left out of their squad.
Veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have retired from T20 duty, but India still have the strongest batting unit in the tournament.
Abhishek Sharma has the highest batting strike-rate in the history of T20 internationals, while Ishan Kishan and captain Suryakumar Yadav have played some blistering innings recently.
All-rounders Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya and Washington Sundar balance the side nicely, and Shivam Dube is a devastating hitter in the middle-order.
India's bowling attack is led by iconic paceman Jasprit Bumrah, who receives top-class support from left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh and ace T20 spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy.
India warmed up for their title defence with a 4-1 series victory over New Zealand and they have lost only six of their 50 completed T20 internationals since the start of 2024.
ICC T20 World Cup
New Zealand were well beaten by India in January's T20 series although they claimed an impressive 50-run victory in the fourth game in Visakhapatnam.
The Black Caps have injury concerns over spinning all-rounder Michael Bracewell and fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, but they can never be written off at major tournaments.
In 2023 they reached the 50-over World Cup semi-finals in India, who beat them in the final of last year's Champions Trophy in Dubai.
Finn Allen and Tim Seifert form a hard-hitting opening partnership while Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell are exciting middle-order options.
Captain Mitchell Santner's T20 batting has improved significantly and he is part of a versatile spin attack along with Ravindra, Phillips, Ish Sodhi and, if fit, Bracewell.
New Zealand face a tough assignment in Group D alongside 2024 runners-up South Africa and a competitive Afghanistan side.
However, Santner's men should be backed to claim a top-two finish in the section and they look a tempting alternative to India in the outright betting.