The 2026 ICC T20 World Cup has entered the Super Eight stage, and while many fans and pundits would have expected the competition to get serious at this stage of the tournament, the ongoing edition of the biennial T20 tournament has been thoroughly entertaining since Match 1. Parimatch Sport has prepared several interesting facts.
 

Top 4 Must-Watch Group Stage Clashes at the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup: Zimbabwe vs Australia, Nepal vs England & More
 

Multiple associate nations that were not even given a slight chance by the cricketing pundits to even challenge the heavyweights ended up running them close in fixtures that were decided on the last ball or even knocking out former World Champions, as seen in Group B.
 

According to Parimatch Sports statistic, while no match saw the scoreboard touch the 200-run mark, the ongoing T20 World Cup is already being hailed as the best T20 World Cup in recent memory, with multiple associate nations proving their potential to perform at the biggest stage, re-sparking the conversations around more game time for players from associate nations against full-member teams.
 

Let’s have a look at the top four group stage matches of the 2026 edition of the ICC T20 World Cup, which made the fans bite off their nails:
 

P.S.: To maintain the sanctity of different groups and different conditions on offer, we have picked only one match from one group.
 

#4 Pakistan defeat Netherlands by 3 Wickets (Group A)

While the Netherlands openers did give their side a fast start, followed by useful contributions by Bas de Leede and Colin Ackermann, Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed picked two wickets each to leave the Dutch side a bit short of finishers towards the end.
 

The Netherlands were somewhat in control at 127/4 and 25 balls still left in the innings when skipper Scott Edwards was dismissed after scoring 37 runs off 29 balls. In the 17th over, Saim Ayub dismissed both Logan van Beek and Zion Lion-Cachet, forcing Aryan Dutt to close out the innings with a quick cameo as Pakistan restricted their opposition to a total of 147 runs.
 

Chasing a modest target, Pakistan made a confident start as Ayub smashed 24 runs off 13 balls before falling to Dutt in the third over of the innings. Ayub’s opening partner, Sahibzada Farhan, kept the pressure on the opposition with a brilliant innings of 47 runs off 31 balls, before falling to Paul van Meekeren.
 

Farhan’s dismissal triggered a collapse for the Shaheens as the Men in Green found themselves at a score of 114/7 after being 98/2 in 11 overs. With the required rate mounting and no recognised batting partners left, Faheem Ashraf took it upon himself as the all-rounder smashed two fours and three sixes to take his team over the line in the last two overs.
 

#3 England defeat Nepal by 4 runs (Group C)

While Day 1 produced an unexpected nail-biter between the Netherlands and Pakistan, Day 2 was expected to serve more straightforward results. But, Nepal had other ideas as the Nepalese side had England reeling at 57/3 within 6 overs on a batting-friendly pitch with Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, and Tom Banton back in the hut.
 

A 71-run partnership between Jacob Bethell and skipper Harry Brook laid the platform for Will Jacks to fire away in the last two overs, helping the Englishmen post a total of 184 runs on the board with the Mumbai Indians all-rounder contributing 39 runs off 18 balls..
 

In reply, Kushal Bhurtel gave the perfect start for Nepal before being caught & bowled by Jacks, who once again proved to be pivotal for his side. After Bhurtel’s demise, Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee took apart the English spinners, particularly targeting Adil Rashid as the two batters contributed 77 runs in eight overs.

Sam Curran’s experience and variations proved to be too much for the Nepalese batters
 

Airee was sent back to the pavilion by Sam Curran in the 15th over, while Paudel walked in the same direction in the next over after throwing his wicket away to Liam Dawson. Lokesh Bam brought the equation down to 24 runs required off 12 balls after it seemed like everything had been done in vain by the Nepalese batters.
 

Despite the presence of the in-form Lokesh on the crease, Sam Curran brought out his arsenal of variations in the 20th over and successfully closed out the game, winning the match for his side by 4 runs, giving away only 5 runs in the last over.
 

#2 Zimbabwe defeat Australia by 21 runs (Group B)

Zimbabwe walked into the encounter high on confidence after defeating Oman, but nobody could have even put a dollar on the Chevrons trumping the Kangaroos at the biggest stage in T20I cricket.
 

Brian Bennet anchored the innings for Zimbabwe from start to finish with a score of 64 runs off 56 balls, while Tadiwanashe Marumani and skipper Sikandar Raza contributed 35 and 25 runs respectively at strike rates of 166.67 and 192.31 respectively.
 

The Chevrons set a target of 170 runs but lost only two wickets, which signified that they could have mustered a few more runs if the batters had taken a few more risks. In fact, Raza’s maximum off the last ball of the 20th over was the first six of the innings by any Zimbabwe batter in the pivotal match.
 

Chasing a target of 170 runs at the R Premadasa Stadium in a day game could always prove tricky, and Raza’s men certainly made it tougher for a misfiring Australian top order. Blessing Muzarabani struck on his first ball as Josh Inglis returned to the pavilion and was soon followed by Cameron Green and Tim David, with both batters getting dismissed on a duck.
 

Stand-in skipper Travis Head soon chopped back onto his own stumps, leaving his side reeling at 29/4. Glenn Maxwell and Matt Renshaw stitched together a 77-run partnership which ultimately went in vain as the Kangaroos folded under pressure and were knocked out of the tournament after another defeat against Sri Lanka.
 

#1 South Africa defeat Afghanistan in Super Over 2 (Group D)

After Aiden Markram’s early dismissal, the southpaw pair of Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton stitched together a century partnership with both de Kock and Rickelton scoring half-centuries and helping the Proteas reach the score of 111/1 by the end of the 11th over.
 

In the 13th over, Rashid Khan dismissed both de Kock and Rickelton, which helped the Afghans put a stop to the scoring rate as they conceded only 8 runs in the next two overs with two new batters arriving at the crease.
 

While Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs fell to Azmatullah Omarzai in the 18th over, David Miller and Marco Jansen propelled the Proteas to a total of 187 runs by smashing 28 runs in the last two overs.
 

In reply, the Afghans had a dream start as they reached the 50-run mark by the end of the fourth over as Rahmanullah Gurbaz was smashing the ball all over the park while Ibrahim Zadran was seeing his eye in at the other end.
 

In the fifth over, Lungi Ngidi dismissed both Zadran and Gulbadin Naib while Sediq Atal was also dismissed on a duck in the next over by Kagiso Rabada, forcing the Afghans to consolidate first and accelerate later.
 

After the powerplay overs, Keshav Maharaj kept it tight from one end while Gurbaz kept targeting the spinners from the other end, with George Linde and Aiden Markram proving to be expensive.
 

Maharaj finally struck gold when Gurbaz was caught at short third man after smashing 84 runs off 42 balls, which included four fours and seven maximums. Darwish Razooli was run out in the same over, compounding the problems for Jonathan Trott’s men.
 

Leading by example, Rashid smashed 20 runs off 12 balls, and Noor Ahmad also contributed 15 runs off 8 balls as Rabada bowled two no balls in the last over, which gifted the game to the Afghans, but a stupid run-out forced the game into a Super Over.
 

Batting first, Afghanistan put 17 runs on the board with Omarzai smashing a maximum and two fours against the in-form Ngidi. While Brevis scored a maximum before getting dismissed, Stubbs scored a four and a six to take the match to a second Super Over.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave it his all against South Africa, but his innings went in vain
 

Batting first, South Africa had Stubbs and Miller in the middle yet again, and while the right-hander scored a maximum yet again, the southpaw scored two sixes to set a target of 24 runs.
 

Surprisingly, Maharaj was given the ball to defend 23 runs while Mohammad Nabi also walked out to bat instead of Gurbaz. The move didn’t work out as Nabi got out and wasted two deliveries before Gurbaz smashed three maximums, but failed to score a fourth consecutive six, which could have been a fairytale for Afghanistan Cricket.
 

While Gurbaz failed to take his side over the line, the wicket-keeper batter ensured that every neutral had a great time and left with memories of witnessing the best ever T20I match.
 

Honorable Mentions: Sri Lanka vs Australia, Italy vs Nepal, Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka

Contributed by Mohak Arora, Parimatch Sports analytics expert

Parimatch Sports, a premium sportswear brand inspired by the world’s top athletes, proudly joins forces with star cricket team Maharashtra Tycoons as their official partner. This season, the Tycoons competed in the World Legends Pro T20 League in Goa, a tournament bringing together legendary cricketers from around the world. The Tycoons, led by Carlos Brathwaite, took to the field once again, creating memorable highlights with star power, outstanding individual performances, and truly emotional cricket that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

The Maharashtra Tycoons became one of the most talked-about cricket teams in the tournament thanks to a strong international lineup. The squad included players whose careers have long become part of cricket history, such as Dinesh Karthik, Chris Gayle, Dale Steyn, Carlos Brathwaite, Stuart Binny, Shaun Marsh, Alastair Cook, Nathan Coulter-Nile, and Peter Siddle.

“We are proud to be the official partner of the Maharashtra Tycoons in the new season of WLPT20. Their professionalism, passion, and team spirit allowed them to celebrate every victory and face every defeat with dignity. They demonstrate true strength of character and determination—qualities that closely align with our brand,” said the Parimatch Sports Press Office.

The league format allowed these legends to step back onto the field, with skill, strategic thinking, and the will to win are just as important as the result. Subsequent matches highlighted the high level of competition.

“This season showed how important experience, trust within the team, and the willingness to fight until the end are. Playing alongside cricket legends and feeling the support of fans is what makes tournaments like this truly special,” commented Carlos Brathwaite, captain of the Maharashtra Tycoons.

Parimatch Sports’ partnership with the Maharashtra Tycoons emphasizes cricket as a spectacular experience where emotions, the will to win, and fan connection matter. This format combines sporting competition with entertainment, brings together multiple generations of fans, and creates powerful stories around the game. With Parimatch Sports, fans feel the synergy of moving forward and immerse themselves in an atmosphere full of love and passion for cricket, enjoying every moment of the season.

About Parimatch Sports
Parimatch Sports is a high-quality sportswear brand inspired by the world’s top athletes and designed to equip every brave soul on their winning track. Trusted by international stars like Trinidadian cricket legend Sunil Narine, Parimatch Sports creates professional on-field kits for football and cricket teams, including its partnership with the star cricket team Maharashtra Tycoons, alongside a comprehensive range of stylish workout wear for fans. The brand stands out with exclusive designs inspired by the greatest athletes and their victories on the pitch. Parimatch Sports aims to expand the horizons of Asia’s love for sports, bringing it to a new level.

As we build up to the 2026 edition of the  Indian Premier League, we will have a look at key personnel changes and how the teams shape up ahead of the season. In this analytical preview, David Warner and Eoin Morgan – Chief Cricket Analysts, Parimatch Sports, two of the game’s most respected cricket minds – deliver a comprehensive breakdown of the makeup of the 10 IPL teams.

Ravindra Jadeja and Sanju Samson served their respective sides well over the last decade

Eoin Morgan, Chief Cricket Analysts Parimatch Sports

Eoin Morgan Shares Expert Insight on IPL 2026’s Biggest Trade Shock
The 2026 IPL mini-auction had a lot of surprises in store for the fans, but the biggest surprise was unfurled even before the auction started as the Rajasthan Royals decided to trade Sanju Samson for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran from Chennai Super Kings, allowing all three players a new lease of life in the IPL.

Samson served as the skipper for the Royals for five years between 2021 and 2025, helping the inaugural IPL champions reach the final for the first time since 2008 in his second year of captaincy.

The right-handed top-order batter is also the all-time leading run-scorer for RR but the emergence of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made the RR side very top-heavy with Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, and Shimron Hetmyer vying for the top four spots in the batting order.

On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja never finished as the highest run-scorer or the highest wicket-taker for the Super Kings in any single edition, but the all-rounder is the all-time leading wicket-taker for CSK in the IPL. Jadeja’s presence, along with Ravichandran Ashwin, would be highly missed as the Super Kings enter a new era with newer heroes on the horizon.

David Warner gives an insight into the biggest trade ahead of IPL 2026
If I look back on my IPL career, I represented two franchises, the Delhi Capitals and the Sunrisers Hyderabad, and returning to Delhi after playing for Sunrisers for 7 years was definitely a moment I looked forward to at that point of my career.

Ravindra Jadeja started his career with the Royals but went on to win three more titles with CSK, and it would definitely be an emotional moment for the all-rounder to return to his first franchise in the IPL.

On the other hand, Samson might be in need of a fresh challenge in the IPL, and once he’s relieved of the captaincy duties, he might even surpass the pedigree and potential we saw in Sanju during his time with the Royals.

Sanju Samson’s fresh opportunity at CSK
When Samson was appointed as the captain of the Royals in 2021, there were not many bonafide stars in the RR dressing room with Yashaswi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag still in their teenage while Shivam Dube and Glenn Phillips were not the finished elite T20 product in terms of finishing games and providing genuine all-round options.

Sanju took on that load of leading a young team and even qualified for the final of IPL 2022, 14 years after RR had made it to their last final. Despite his calibre and achievements, the Royals took the decision of trading Samson to improve their balance and offer more all-round options in the squad.

The wicket-keeper batter is fresh off a great T20 World Cup campaign where he wasn’t even part of the first-choice playing XI, but came in and helped India make it to the semi-final against all odds.

Ravindra Jadeja’s second homecoming at RR
Ravindra Jadeja is adored by the fans in Chennai as one of their own and is part of the greatest CSK team which achieved IPL, CLT20, and completely dominated the T20 franchise circuit for a couple of years.

But, after a couple of ordinary seasons, Jadeja would be looking forward to a change in scene as his skills and experience would be much more revered in the young RR setup where Kumar Sangakkara is back as the head coach and would be looking to get the best out of both Jadeja and Sam Curran.

Shane Warne and Ravindra Jadeja bowled in tandem for RR in 2009 and 2010
Jadeja’s rise as an all-round talent was well documented in his early years with RR with the legendary Shane Warne referring to him as ‘A Superstar in the Making’. After a gap of 15 years, the all-rounder is back where things started for him and alongside Curran, would allow the Royals to play a deeper batting line-up with more bowling options.

Eoin Morgan feels Sanju Samson is the perfect fit for CSK
If I look at this from a neutral lens, both teams have walked away with what they wanted, as Rajasthan Royals were short on all-rounders last season, while CSK lacked the firepower at the top, ultimately finishing with the wooden spoon in IPL 2025.

With MS Dhoni edging towards the last one or two years of his IPL career, and many reports suggesting that the 44-year old might feature as an impact player and not don the gloves, Sanju can step into Dhoni’s role with ease behind the stumps.

Apart from his excellent glove work, Dhoni is known for giving valuable inputs, which helped Ruturaj Gaikwad grow as a leader, and Samson, with his rich experience of leading RR and being part of India’s 2024 ICC T20 World Cup-winning squad, can offer similar inputs to Gaikwad, who will continue to lead CSK despite Samson’s arrival.

Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma have been identified as Jadeja’s and Dhoni’s respective heirs in the lower middle order, along with the presence of Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube, who complete CSK’s middle order.

Along with the upcoming prodigious talent Ayush Mhatre and skipper Gaikwad, Samson could be the perfect fit for CSK’s top order as the opening batter from Kerala is equally adept at playing seam and spin bowlers.

Sanju has learnt from the best, as he was often on the sidelines watching Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli do their respective jobs with 100% precision. At RR, Sanju has also played under the captaincy of internationally acclaimed leaders like Steve Smith and Ajinkya Rahane, who are very tactically astute, and those learnings would certainly come in use in the near future when he would be one of the senior-most players in the CSK squad once Dhoni hangs up his boots.

Contributed by– David Warner, Brand Ambassador Parimatch Sports & Eoin Morgan, Chief Cricket Analysts  Parimatch Sports

As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup unfolds, homes across the country shift into match mode. Living rooms carry the intensity of every over, kitchens stay active between timeouts, and outdoor spaces become extensions of the on ground celebrations. Recognising how closely these moments are tied to the spaces we live in, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. (CGCEL) is strengthening its ongoing ‘Every Space Bright & Right with Crompton Lights’ campaign through a strategic collaboration with former India cricketer, World Cup champion, IPL batting coach, mentor and one of India’s leading commentators, Dinesh Karthik.

Crompton collaborated with Dinesh Karthik

The association comes alive through a digital film and a series of contextual Instagram reels rolled out during the tournament. Developed in collaboration with Aflog’s creative studio and supported by AI-driven visual storytelling, the campaign draws a parallel between the evolution of the game and the evolution of how homes are lit today. At its core lies a clear message — lighting should do more than brighten a room. It should brighten the moment.

Dinesh Karthik is one of the most respected voices in cricket today, known for his composure and sharp match awareness. Hailing from Tamil Nadu, he shares a deep connect with audiences across South India, where cricket is passionately followed. His instinct for making the right call aligns naturally with Crompton’s ‘Bright & Right’ philosophy — choosing lighting that fits the purpose of each space and moment.

Through the Instagram reel series, released around key match days, Dinesh Karthik shares insights from the tournament while drawing natural parallels to his bright & right spaces at home. Just as a well-timed move can influence momentum on the field, the right lighting can elevate the experience of a space — bringing focus to a living room, clarity to a kitchen, or warmth to an outdoor gathering. The series of sub-films feature Dinesh Karthik announcing the “Crompton Player of the Game” after every Indian match during the tournament. The initiative celebrates standout performances on the field while reinforcing Crompton Lighting’s association with moments that truly light up the game.

Speaking about the campaign, Tanmay Prusty, Chief Marketing Officer – Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd., said, “At Crompton, we believe lighting plays a defining role in shaping how people experience their homes. With ‘Every Space Bright & Right’, we are encouraging consumers to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach and think more deliberately about how each space is lit. Dinesh embodies that mindset naturally. He is known for his clarity of thought, composure under pressure, and ability to make the right call at the right moment. A connoisseur of good design and a seeker of authentic partnerships, Dinesh Karthik brings both taste and thoughtful curation to this collaboration. His strong connect across South India, especially during a cricketing event of this scale, makes him an authentic voice for this campaign. Together, we are bringing a simple but important idea into everyday conversations — that the right light can meaningfully enhance how a space feels.”

Speaking about this collaboration, Dinesh Karthik said, “In cricket, the difference often lies in small decisions made at the right time. That mindset applies at home too. Lighting plays a bigger role than we realise — it can change the energy of a room instantly. Whether you’re watching a match, spending time with family, or relaxing at home in the evening, the right light makes that experience better. That’s what I found compelling about this campaign.”

Shot at his home, this collaboration culminates in a digital film that captures this evolution. The film opens with Dinesh Karthik reflecting on how the game has evolved over the years from being part of India’s historic win at the inaugural ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007 to the fast, high-intensity format fans enjoy today. He recalls returning home after that tournament and realising that the lighting in his space didn’t quite match the energy and excitement of the game. That realisation led him to rethink the way his home was lit, eventually turning to Crompton lighting to create the right ambience. As he walks through his home, each space reflects a different rhythm of the day – warm lighting elevates the match-viewing experience, crisp illumination enhances kitchen clarity, and thoughtfully placed outdoor lights create a relaxed evening ambience. The message comes together simply: as the game evolves, so should the way we light our homes.

With this next phase of ‘Every Space Bright & Right’, Crompton reinforces its leadership in lighting – offering solutions designed not just to illuminate homes, but to enhance how modern India lives in them.

Link to the Social Media Video – www.instagram.com/reel/DVfWzPJkiHy

About Crompton

With a brand legacy of over 85 years, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. is India’s market leader in the category of fans and residential pumps. Over the years, the organization has continuously strived to produce a range of innovative products that cater to the modern consumer including superior quality and high-performance fans, pumps, lighting solutions, and a range of other categories like water heaters; air coolers; small kitchen appliances like mixer grinders, air fryers, OTG, electric kettles etc; other home appliances like irons & built-in kitchen appliances. The company has further invested in brand and innovation to not only better understand and meet consumer needs but to also help drive energy efficiency. The consumer business also has a well-established and organized distribution network driven by a strong dealer base across the country offering a wide service network and robust after-sales service to its customers. Beyond its consumer portfolio, Crompton also has a robust B2B presence in the Lighting segment, delivering advanced and energy-efficient solutions for commercial and industrial applications. In 2025, Crompton became the first lighting company to receive the GreenPro certification for its B2B lighting solution, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability and innovation. Strengthening its foothold in the renewable energy space, the company has forayed into solar rooftops—representing a significant step forward in its contribution to India’s evolving clean energy landscape. With solar solutions spanning lighting, pumps, and rooftops, Crompton continues to lead as a responsible and future-ready brand in sustainable energy.

The company’s consistent dedication to developing energy-efficient products has led to significant recognition. It has been honored with three prestigious National Energy Consumer Awards (NECA) by BEE, Ministry of Power. The recent award was presented by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu for the company’s storage water heater in 2023. In 2019, the brand won in two categories: Ceiling Fans and LED Bulbs. Additionally, it was recognized as one of India’s Best Managed Companies 2022 by Deloitte Private and listed among ‘India’s Top 500 Companies 2022’ by Dun & Bradstreet India. The company has also been featured in Brand Top 75 most valuable Indian brands list for 2020 released by WPP and Kantar. Furthermore, Crompton was also recognized as the Brand of the Decade 2021 by Herald Global and BARC Asia in the Consumer Electrical category.

The 2026 ICC T20 World Cup is approaching the business end of the tournament, and we will soon be left with four teams and three matches that will decide the champions of the ongoing biennial tournament.

The tenth edition of the T20 World Cup has not disappointed the fans as several associate teams proved their worth in the group stages, and the Super Eight stage has also surprised at every juncture so far, with an unthinkable script in store for us for the semi-finals as well.

England became the first team to seal a semi-final spot, albeit the English team does need to fill a few holes if they want to lift the T20 World Cup for the third time. The likes of Jos Buttler and Tom Banton look short of runs, while Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell also need to improve their consistency with the bat in hand.

Apart from England, it’s a toss-up between New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, with the Kiwis seeming like the side which has the most potential to defeat opposition sides in their upcoming matches.

In the other group, South Africa and the West Indies are front-runners to make it to the semi-final, but one should never rule out a team like India, which can still work wonders and win both matches by a huge margin to reach the semi-final stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Let’s have a look at the top five prominent names who could influence the semi-finals of the 2026 edition of the ICC T20 World Cup:

#5 Axar Patel (India)

Axar Patel will have to contribute as a genuine all-rounder in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup

Axar Patel has emerged as one of the best all-rounders in T20 cricket over the last couple of years, and the fact that he was elevated to the vice-captain role in the Indian T20 team spoke loads about his pivotal contributions and current standing in the team.

In the 2024 T20 World Cup final, the Indian side was in a precarious position after three of their top four batters, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Suryakumar Yadav, had returned to the pavilion. At that moment, Patel stepped up and built a solid partnership with Virat Kohli, contributing 47 runs off 31 balls, which helped the Blues lift the trophy after 17 years.

India was in a similar position against South Africa in the Super Eight stage, but their vice-captain wasn’t able to bail them out as he was dropped by the team management on his home ground.

Axar’s return to the team in place of Rinku Singh or Washington Sundar could provide India a much-needed boost, which just might propel them into the semi-final if other results go their way.

#4 Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand)

Lockie Ferguson’s ability to strike crucial wickets in the powerplay overs has come to the fore, even on flat pitches of the M Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The fast bowler dismissed both in-form opening batters, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, and also scalped the important wicket of the dangerous Quinton de Kock against South Africa.

Ferguson’s variations and the wily method of delivering both the new ball and the old ball would be crucial against Sri Lanka and England, as the pitches on offer in Colombo and Pallekele offer more assistance to fast bowlers compared to the pitches in Chennai and at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The Kiwis’ first fixture in the Super Eight stage was abandoned due to rain, which would put more pressure on the side from down south to perform against hosts Sri Lanka and a formidable English side which has already sealed their berth in the semi-finals.

#3 Sherfane Rutherford (West Indies)

While skipper Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer have been in superb form at the top of the order, Sherfane Rutherford could be the X-factor for the Caribbean side when the big moment arrives for the West Indies.

Rutherford has hit 11 maximums in the ongoing T20 World Cup, the joint second-most as of statistics after the end of Zimbabwe vs West Indies where he hit 31 runs off 13 balls to help his side put up 254 runs on the board.

The southpaw has scored 157 runs at a strike rate of 189 and has been dismissed only once, in the first match against Scotland which even signifies that Rutherford could bat even higher but Darren Sammy might reserve him for death overs which has benefitted the team so far.

#2 Tristan Stubbs (South Africa)

Like Sherfane Rutherford, Tristan Stubbs has been the bonafide finisher for his side and has been dismissed only once in the tournament so far against Afghanistan. Even against the Afghans, Stubbs rose to the occassion in the Super Over battle smashing 10 runs when the Proteas needed 11 off 3 balls and then smashed a maximum in the second Super Over as well.

Tristan Stubbs has proven his mettle as a reliable finisher for South Africa alongside David Miller

The 2024 T20 World Cup runners-up would be hoping that the triumvirate of Dewlad Brevis, Stubbs, and Miller works wonder in the semi-final as well. Apart from his Super Over exploits, Stubbs also dominated against Canada with an unbeaten innings of 34 runs off 19 balls while his innings of 44 runs off 24 balls against India.

The Proteas would be relying on the brilliance of Stubbs and David Miller as the duo showcased in the Super Over against Afghanistan and also in the Super Eight stage fixture against India, where the likes of Varun Chakravarthy and Hardik Pandya had no answers to their destructive shot-hitting abilities.

#1 Sam Curran (England)

Sam Curran is the most proven all-round option and the third senior-most player of the team in terms of appearances for the national team amongst the current squad members. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, Curran failed to produce his best as he scalped only 3 wickets in 5 matches and bowled at an economy rate of almost 10, failing to complete his quota of overs in most fixtures.

While Curran has made some useful contributions with the bat in his hand in this edition, the left-arm seamer has proved to be indispensable due to his excellent death bowling skills and the ability to pick wickets with the new ball and in the middle overs as well.

When it seemed like Italy could run England close in the death overs, Curran produced his best with figures of 3/22 in three overs, scalping the crucial wicket of Grant Stewart, who was closing in on his half-century while playing at a strike rate of more than 200.

Similarly, when Nepal was cruising in the run-chase against the Englishmen, Curran dismissed the dangerous Dipendra Singh Airee and then defended 10 runs in the final over against a well-set Lokesh Bam as well to help his side make it to the Super Eight stage unscathed.

AUTHOR: Mohak Arora, Parimatch Sports analytics expert