T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament Winners

Abhishek Sharma is currently India’s left-handed opening batter and stands as a prime contender for the Player of the Tournament race at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. He is regarded as one of the most explosive young cricketers in the Indian setup, known for his fearless approach at the top of the order and his additional value as a left-arm spin option.

He has built his reputation through an ultra-aggressive batting style that puts immediate pressure on bowlers. In T20 cricket, he often scores at a strike rate above 200, turning the powerplay into a scoring window rather than a settling phase. His intent is clear from the first ball, and he relies on clean hitting, quick hands, and strong game awareness to dominate attacks.

Travis Head

The second name on the list is Travis Head, Australia’s explosive left-handed batter. He is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous top-order batters in world cricket, known for his attacking intent and his ability to take control of the game in the early overs.

What makes him such a high-impact player is his fearless playing style. Head usually starts attacking from the very first ball and immediately puts bowlers under pressure. He has been especially effective in ICC tournaments, where he has delivered several match-defining performances on the big stage. His ability to perform under pressure and score at a rapid pace against quality attacks makes him a serious threat in any global event.

Mitchell Santner

The third contender on the list is Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand captain. The left-arm spinner has proven to be a reliable match winner for New Zealand at any given stage of the game. He is particularly dangerous in the middle overs, where his tight lines and smart variations allow him to keep batters quiet for long periods and build sustained pressure.

Santner bowls with excellent accuracy, changes his pace effectively, and forces errors through discipline and control rather than mystery. His ability to deliver economical spells regularly makes him a key asset in the T20 format.

Not only with the ball, but his batting can also turn a game around. He has a range of effective shots and has pulled his team out of difficult situations more than once with his composure and control. He also ranks among the safest fielders in the side, adding further balance with his athletic presence on the field. With his all-round value and current form, Santner shapes up as a strong contender for the Player of the Tournament award.

Rashid Khan

The next name in the line is Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan captain and mystery spinner, widely regarded as one of the most dangerous spinners in world cricket. The Afghan leg spinner bowls quickly through the air with a very compact action, which makes it difficult for batters to pick his variations from the hand. His main weapons include the leg break and the googly, both delivered with almost identical arm speed.

Moreover, Rashid Khan has significantly elevated his batting game and has now become an impactful lower-order batter. He is a powerful hitter who scores very quickly in the final overs, and his aggressive approach can change the momentum of an inning in just a few balls. Strong wrists, quick bat speed, and confidence against both pace and spin make him a dangerous finisher.

Along with that, his sharp fielding and strong game awareness further strengthen his overall value. With impact across all three departments, Rashid Khan stands out as a complete T20 package who can influence matches in multiple ways.

Ryan Rickelton

Last but not least, the top contender for the Player of the Tournament in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is South African opening batter Ryan Rickelton. He is a wicketkeeper batter who has emerged as a strong to-orderr presence in whit-balll cricket. 

Ryan has shown steady growth in recent years. His technique has improved significantly over the past few seasons, and that progress is clearly visible in his shot selection and consistency at the crease. Although he is yet to fully establish himself in a major ICC event, his current form suggests that the upcoming World Cup could become his breakthrough stage.