The T20 World Cup is just around the corner and we have picked out three outright bets for the tournament.
The 2026 T20 World Cup starts on Saturday and the tournament is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
India are the defending champions, having beaten South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling 2024 final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Australia, who lifted the trophy in 2021, and 2022 winners England are rated as the biggest threats to favourites India.
The West Indies also have a proud record in this event, triumphing in 2012 and 2016, and they face England, Nepal, Scotland and Italy in Group C.
Selections
India to win @ 11/8
Glenn Phillips to be top New Zealand runscorer @ 11/2
Scott Edwards to be top Netherlands runscorer @ 11/2
Defending champions should make the most of home advantage
India are short-priced favourites to retain their T20 World Cup trophy and it is hard to see them being beaten with home advantage.
The ultra-competitive Indian Premier League has produced an outstanding crop of Twenty20 cricketers and players of the calibre of Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul have not made the squad.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav, one of the world’s best T20 batters, has rediscovered his form in time for the tournament and opener Abhishek Sharma should give India a flying start in the Powerplay overs.
India have lost only six of their 50 T20 internationals since the start of 2024 and their bowling attack offers opponents no respite.
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is a sensational talent while spinners Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel are hugely dangerous in favourable conditions.
India played some stunning cricket on home turf in the 50-over World Cup in 2023 before losing to Australia in the final. Since then, they have won the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy and it will take a special performance to deny them another trophy.
Tip: India to win @ 11/8
Back Phillips to sparkle for underrated Black Caps
New Zealand had a chastening warm-up series against India in January, losing 4-1, but the Black Caps relish the pressure of a major tournament.
All-rounder Glenn Phillips is the archetypal modern T20 cricketer: a powerful hitter, brilliant fielder and useful off-spinner who can also keep wicket.
He should bat at number four for the Kiwis and he is a big price to be their top tournament runscorer.
Phillips looked in good nick during the T20s against India, scoring 78, 19, 48, 24 and seven, and he signed off the preceding ODI series with a knock of 106 off 88 balls in Indore.
Tip: Glenn Phillips to be top New Zealand runscorer @ 11/2
Dutch skipper could sweep to the top of runscoring chart
The Netherlands have been drawn in Group A alongside India, Pakistan, Namibia and the USA and Dutch captain Scott Edwards should be backed to top their runscoring charts.
Edwards played some crucial innings during last July’s qualifying tournament in which he made 41 not out, 20, 48 not out and 37 not out.
The Tonga-born wicketkeeper has the skills to thrive on spinning pitches as he plays the sweep shot brilliantly.
He showcased his T20 ability with a couple of great knocks in 2024, smashing an unbeaten 81 off 40 balls against the USA and 99 from 55 deliveries against Oman.
Tip: Scott Edwards to be top Netherlands runscorer @ 11/2
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