Top 5 power-hitters to watch at T20 World Cup 2026 — explosive batters who can flip momentum instantly.
A successful T20 side thrives on the presence of explosive power-hitters who can capitalise on the field restrictions in the powerplay and go berserk in the death overs. When these batters hit their stride, they turn contests into mere formalities, making them integral to the shortest format of the game.
As the T20 World Cup 2026 approaches, here are the top five power-hitters to watch out for.
Abhishek Sharma (India)
India opener Abhishek Sharma has been the best T20I batter among the top ten ICC-ranked teams since the 2024 World T20. He has scored the most runs (1,297), hit the most fours (123) and sixes (88), and has eight fifties and two centuries in 38 matches.
What stands out the most, however, is Abhishek’s strike rate of 194.74 — the highest by any batter since the 2024 World T20. This allows India to get off to strong starts consistently. If Abhishek bats beyond the powerplay, he often helps set up big totals or chase down targets with ease.
He also averages an impressive 37.05. His success with the bat will be crucial to India’s chances in the upcoming ICC tournament.
Read More: T20 World Cup 2026: Why rest of the teams need to be cautious against India’s fiery batting line up
Phil Salt (England)
England opener Phil Salt is another power-hitter to watch out for at the 2026 World T20. Since the 2024 World T20, he has been striking at 168.91 and averaging 43.81 from 21 matches. During this period, he has scored 701 runs, including two centuries.
What makes Salt’s batting style unique is that he does not need time to settle, as he can start hitting big from the very first ball. He also has a knack for playing long, impactful knocks. For instance, his 141 not out off 60 balls, featuring 15 fours and eight sixes against South Africa, helped England post a match-winning 304/2 in September 2025.
Tim Seifert (New Zealand)
New Zealand opener Tim Seifert packs so much power into his shots that even edges off his bat often fly for fours and sixes. He recently struck a 36-ball 62 against India, helping New Zealand secure a consolation win in a 4–1 series defeat.
Although Seifert has played just 20 matches since the 2024 World T20, he averages an impressive 44.13, strikes at 164.26, and has aggregated 662 runs. The flat pitches in the Indian subcontinent at the 2026 World T20 will suit his style of play, making him a power-hitter to watch out for.
Read More: Batting highlights from T20 World Cup history
Dewald Brevis (South Africa)
South Africa Dewald Brevis, 22, boasts excellent hand-eye coordination and a wide range of shots. He mostly bats at No. 4 during the middle overs but ensures that the momentum does not dip, counterattacking to keep the run rate ticking.
He struck a brilliant 56-ball 125 not out against Australia in August 2025 after coming in during the fifth over, taking the game away with his power-hitting. That knock included 12 fours and eight sixes. Since the 2024 World T20, he has scored 485 runs at a strike rate of 173.83.
Tim David (Australia)
Australia power-hitter Tim David has the second-best strike rate of 185.49 since the 2024 World T20, behind only Abhishek Sharma (194.74), among players who have featured in at least 10 matches. However, unlike opener Abhishek, David often bats as low as No. 6 and usually has only a few overs in the death to unleash his big hitting.
Despite this, he performs the role with great success. Batting at No. 5, he single-handedly chased down 215 against West Indies in July 2025 with a stunning 37-ball 102 not out, which included six fours and 11 sixes. His impact is evident from the fact that he has hit more sixes (41) than fours (31) since the 2024 World T20. He also averages 36.38, having played 22 matches in this period.
Read More: Shivam Dube vs Tim David: Which of these power-hitters will have greater impact in T20 WC 2026?
