RCB star at 4; CSK all-rounder in, no place for Archer? England's strongest XI for T20 World Cup

England strongest XI for T20 World Cup [Source: AFP Photo]

On Tuesday, England revealed their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The Three Lions announced a strong team for the marquee event as they aim to claim their third T20 World Cup title in 2026. As expected, Harry Brook will lead the side as the team boasts a strong batting lineup.

England have been placed in a group alongside Nepal, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Italy, as they aim to replicate the 2022 historic World Cup feat. Ahead of the mega tournament, we take a look at how the Three Lions playing XI might look like in the T20 World Cup.

England squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Harry Brook (C), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer (ICC Men’s T20 World Cup only), Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood

How England could lineup in T20 World Cup 2026

Salt-Duckett to open, Buttler at 3

• The destructive pair of Ben Duckett and Phil Salt is set to dazzle at the top, as the England side will have a left-right combination and the duo has done well for the Three Lions in the T20 format.
• In the last decade, England has gone in with ultra-aggressive partnerships at the top, and both batters have done well in fulfilling this role. The two have done well as openers and have racked up (Duckett - 527 runs, 153.64 strike rate, Salt - 1540 runs, 168.12 strike rate, respectively). 
• Jos Buttler, the team’s most valuable player, has played most of his T20I matches as an opener, but he has done well at number 3 as well. This is a similar position for the right-handed batter as he often plays at 3 for his IPL side, Gujarat Titans.

(Buttler stats as opener, and at 3)

• He has done well at both positions, but with Salt-Duckett partnership flourishing, he can easily be accommodated at 3.

Middle order: Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Will Jacks, Sam Curran

• RCB star and England’s prodigal son, Jacob Bethell, is likely to bat at 4. In the last few T20I series, the team has experimented with their playing combinations, but in an ideal scenario, the left-handed batter is likely to play at 4 where he has a strike rate of 177.14 in T20Is.
• Captain Harry Brook is set to play at 5, and in Indian conditions, Will Jacks will be a useful addition, not s a batter, but more as a spinner. England will play two group stage games at the Eden Gardens, and the spin-friendly surface could help him become England’s second spinner in the playing XI.
• Sam Curran usually plays down the order, but England can also use him as a pinch-hitter, similar to what the Desert Vipers are doing in the ILT20. His best numbers have come in at number 4, and 5, and if the situation arises, he can be used as a floater.

(Sam Curran at number 4, and 5 in T20Is)

• The English all-rounder has done well at number 4 and 5 in the T20Is, and England could use him as a floater in the upcoming T20 World Cup. If a lefty-righty combination is needed, Curran could be promoted in the batting order.

Adil Rashid, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer

Unless an injury occurs, Adil Rashid will be the leader of England’s spin-attack in the World Cup. He has done well in Indian conditions and Eden Gardens will suit his style of bowling. Jamie Overton, the CSK all-rounder will also get the spot as he makes their batting depth stronger.

Injured Archer over Luke Wood?

Jofra Archer is currently nursing an injury and there are experts who want Luke Wood to become a guaranteed starter in the England World Cup XI. However, if the express pacer, Archer is fit and raring to go, he should be the first name on the team sheet as he brings X-factor to the table.

Moreover, with Sam Curran already there as a left-arm seamer, there is no sense in playing Luke Wood who brings the same area of expertise in the bowling department as Curran. Rather, the team should go in for someone like Archer who can trouble the batters with his sheer pace.

England's strongest XI for T20 World Cup 2026

Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook (c), Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer

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