The Best T20I World XI right now — selected purely on players’ recent performances, form, and impact in global T20 cricket.
The modern T20 landscape is brimming with firepower, athleticism, and tactical innovation. If one were to assemble a “World XI” purely on the basis of current trends, numbers, and impact in the global T20 circuit, the following lineup is both a reflection of hot form and a paradigm shift to an aggressive, multi-talented philosophy.
1. Abhishek Sharma (India, Opener/All-rounder)
Abhishek Sharma has surely established himself among the most explosive T20I openers, recently amassing 849runs in just 24 T20 internationals at an astonishing strike rate near 196 and average of 36.91.
He already boasts two T20I centuries, one of which came as a match-defining 135 off 47 balls, a record for fastest ton by an Indian in T20Is. His left-arm spin provides another dimension, making him a “two-in-one” asset rarely seen at the top.
Abhishek’s form has pushed out seasoned contenders like Travis Head (Aus) and even Ruturaj Gaikwad, who have not matched his run-rate, impact, or utility as a bowler.
2. Phil Salt (England, Opener/WK)
Phil Salt is England’s answer to the “fearless” brief, with 1452 T20I runs in 47 matches, a remarkable strike rate of 169.62, with a highest score of 141*.
Salt’s positive intent in the powerplay often sets the tone. He edged out the likes of Jos Buttler and Brandon King for this role on sheer current conversion and reliability as a multi-format opener. Salt’s glove-work also allows flexibility but Buttler takes the gloves in this XI for balance.
Read More: Abhishek Sharma strikes at a rate of 197.21 in T20Is; What makes him an explosive opener?
3. Tilak Varma (India, No 3/4)
Tilak Varma’s rise has been meteoric: he has racked up 962 T20I runs in just 32 matches, averaging 53.44 and striking at nearly 150, with two hundreds and four fifties in the last cycle.
He often anchors tricky chases and then explodes, making him comparable to Suryakumar Yadav (whom he’s succeeded here, as SKY’s 2025 form has tapered off). Tilak’s left-handedness is a major tactical plus: it unsettles oppositions used to right-heavy lineups.
4. Josh Inglis (Australia, Middle-order/WK)
With 878 runs in just 36 T20I matches, including an astonishing strike rate of 164.41, Inglis brings specialist middle-order dynamism. He averages 29.46 in T20Is, often playing the “rescuer” or late-overs finisher.
Inglis’s sharpness has given him the edge over the likes of Glenn Phillips or Aiden Markram, who have not been as consistent this season.
Read More: Numerical story of India’s batting dominance in T20Is post T20 WC 2022
5. Jos Buttler (England, Captain/WK)
Still one of T20’s most versatile and elite batters, Jos Buttler’s 2025 campaign has seen him amass 1,715 runs in 54 recent T20Is, a strike rate of 147.3, and a century.
His overall career stats stand as: 3836 runs in 141 matches with a strike rate of just touching 150. While Salt/Inglis have been used as keepers, Buttler’s world-class glove work and tactical acumen make him the team’s on-field leader. Buttler’s ruthlessness has meant even in a slightly leaner patch, players like Nicholas Pooran or Heinrich Klaasen are edged out by his seniority and clutch value.
Read More: Pressing need for India to stick to format specialists in T20Is
6. Hardik Pandya (India, All-rounder)
As the team’s premier fast-bowling all-rounder, Hardik Pandya’s all-round returns (1860 runs in 120 T20Is at SR 141; 98 wickets at 8.22 econ) make him invaluable.
He finishes matches and delivers in pressure overs. Also, he has been opening for India in balling, which surely gives an upper edge to the team as he excels in swinging the ball in the early part of the game. Recent dips in Andre Russell’s output and Marcus Stoinis’s injuries have made Hardik the most bankable “No. 6” all-rounder globally.
7. Romario Shepherd (West Indies, All-rounder)
Romario Shepherd is a six-hitting, death-overs dynamo and a canny seamer, with 667 runs (SR 142.52) and 64 wickets in 63 T20Is.
His lower-order punch and ‘surprise’ bowling (notably in CPL 2025) have made him more consistently useful than Chris Woakes or Wanindu Hasaranga in this slot who haven’t delivered similar two-way impacts lately.
Read More: Basis current form, which teams look to be top contenders for winning T20 World Cup 2026?
8. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan, Leg-spinner/All-rounder)
No T20 World XI is complete without Rashid Khan: 179 wickets in 106 matches with an impressive economy of 6.09, and constant match-winning spells for Afghanistan and franchise teams.
Recent years saw a slight dip, but his status as a game-changer remains unmatched. He still ranks above Adil Rashid and Adam Zampa, whose 2025 numbers do not approach Rashid’s all-phase impact.
9. Varun Chakravarthy (India, Off-spinner)
Varun Chakravarthy’s mystery spin and economy of just 6.89 in 24 T20Is, bagging 40 wickets, notably breakthroughs against top sides in crunch moments, make him a current favourite over spinners like Maheesh Theekshana or Yuzvendra Chahal, who haven’t had the same wicket-taking consistency in this period.
Chakravarthy’s ability to bowl anywhere, be it in the powerplay, which he has been doing for India recently to bowling in the death, is a strategic asset, a team would never like to miss out on.
10. Jacob Duffy (New Zealand, Right-arm seamer)
Jacob Duffy’s international numbers are quietly impressive: 41 wickets in 30 T20Is, backing his status as a strike bowler who thrives in pressure overs.
His tall frame and bounce have made him more impactful than trendier picks like Josh Hazlewood and Reece Topley, both having struggled with injuries or form in 2025.
11. Arshdeep Singh (India, Left-arm seamer)
Arguably the world’s most dangerous T20 left-armer at present, Arshdeep Singh has 101 wickets in 65 T20Is, with an economy of 8.37. He swings the new ball and is unmatched in delivering pinpoint yorkers at the death.
He has surpassed the likes of Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan) in wicket-taking, fitness, and consistency over the last two seasons.
12. Mitchell Marsh (Australia, All-rounder)
Mitchell Marsh’s utility and form (1996 runs, SR 140 in T20Is) would walk into most teams, but here he narrowly loses out to a better specialist (Shepherd) for the finisher role and Pandya for his two-way skill set and Indian adaptability.
Read More: Essentials India must focus on to defend their title in T20 World Cup 2026
