Overview:
England have several global T20 superstars and they will rely on tactics and clear roles for players. One can witness England reach the semis and then take it from there.
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will be starting from February 7 onwards. England, under Harry Brook, will be aiming to come out on top. After a disappointing show in the T20 World Cup 2024, England are out to make things count with a strong squad at their disposal.
20 teams are divided into four groups with England placed in Group C alongside Nepal, West Indies, Scotland and Italy. The top 2 teams will reach the Super 8, which will be divided into two groups.
The T20 World Cup final will be played on March 8. India and Sri Lanka will co-host the coveted tournament. This is the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup.
England have won two T20 World Cup honours in 2010 and 2022 respectively. Like India, the Three Lions will be out to make history by becoming the first side with three T20 World Cups.
The talking point of England’s provisional squad was the inclusion of pace bowler Jofra Archer, who is continuing to recover from a side strain. England still believe Archer is on track to recover in time for the T20 World Cup, but he wasn’t named in the squad for the ODI and T20I series in Sri Lanka. Brydon Carse is providing cover for that tour.
Meanwhile, Jordan Cox and Jamie Smith’s exclusions were also talking points.
England’s T20I squad for the Sri Lanka tour is also their World Cup squad. It remains to be seen how things pan out.
Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, we decode the strengths, weaknesses and analysis of the English side.
England’s squad for T20 World Cup
Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood.
Strengths of England
The spin department unit of England has the desired balance on offer. England’s spinners have decent experience and variety. Adil Rashid leads the line. In 134 matches, he has 145 scalps at 23.93.
Rehan Ahmed will provide support. In 12 matches, Rehan has picked 13 scalps at 25.61. There is a slow left-arm orthodox spinner and all-rounder in Liam Dawson. A veteran of 333 T20s, he has 274 wickets at 25.54.
Fellow spin all-rounder Will Jacks can also prove to be a handful. He owns 80 scalps in T20s.
Jacob Bethell is another decent option with his all-round abilities.
The batting of England boasts of character. Phil Salt and Ben Duckett provide an able composition upfront. In 50 matches, Salt owns over 1500 T20I runs with a strike rate of 168.12. Southpaw Duckett has 527 runs with a strike rate of 153-plus.
In Jos Buttler, England have one of the best in business. He is England’s top scorer with 3869 runs (SR: 148.69). Jacks is the fallback option on the bench. He owns 401 runs in T20Is and over 6000 T20 runs.
England’s middle order will consist of Brook, Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton. The skipper owns over 1000 T20I runs (SR: 151.72). Bethell also boasts a strike rate of 155-plus in T20Is from 20 matches. He owns close to 400 runs.
Banton’s strike rate of 152-plus is also sound. He has scored 451 runs in T20Is and overall over 5100 T20 runs.
England have three top all-rounders who will constitute their playing XI. Sam Curran, with his big-hitting exploits, can fill in at number 7. He has 5350 runs in T20s and over 300 scalps as well. Then there is Bethell and Dawson in the mix. Rehan Ahmed can also play some shots.
If England can have a fit Archer, then they will be boosted. Curran is another pacer with a lot of experience in hand.
Weaknesses of the England side
England have their share of weaknesses. On very flat pitches, England’s bowlers can struggle to contain elite power-hitters, especially if early wickets are not taken.
If Archer misses the T20 World Cup, England will face a severe blow. Carse will fill in, but England would then lack a genuine match-winner. Carse is a decent bowler, but lacks the firepower Archer can provide.
Jamie Overton can prove to be expensive, whereas Tongue is inexperienced as he is yet to play a T20I. However, he has done well in The Hundred and domestic T20 cricket. A lot will rely on Curran to provide the balance.
England’s batting approach, while devastating, can occasionally self-destruct on slower or two-paced wickets. If multiple hitters fail simultaneously, collapses can happen quickly. England are highly dependent on their front four for exploits.
Predicted starting XI of England
Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer.
Players to watch out for
Jos Buttler: His impact and presence will be massive. He can set the tone after Salt and Duckett lay a foundation. Buttler is a big-game player and will rely on his knowledge and strengths. He knows the Indian pitches and has been a sheer run-scorer in this part of the world.
Verdict: England can make it to the semis
England’s success will depend on adaptability — particularly on slower pitches and in low-scoring knockout matches. If England strike the right balance between aggression and awareness, they are strong contenders to lift the trophy once again. England have several global T20 superstars and they will rely on tactics and clear roles for players. One can witness England reach the semis and then take it from there.
Schedule of England in the 2026 T20 World Cup
8 February – England vs Nepal, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
11 February – England vs West Indies, Arun Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
14 February – England vs Scotland, Eden Gardens, Kolkata
16 February – England vs Italy, Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Three of England’s matches will start at 3:00 pm IST. The match against West Indies will start at 7:00 pm IST.