Tim David's potential replacements in Australia squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Debashis Sarangi

Tim David has been ruled out of BBL [@cricbuzz/X]Tim David has been ruled out of BBL [@cricbuzz/X]

In a massive setback for Australia, swashbuckling batter Tim David has been ruled out of the Big Bash League 2025-26 due to an injury. Representing Hobart Hurricanes, Tim David sustained a grade 2 hamstring injury, eventually getting sidelined from the premier Australian T20 league. 

Tim David has been one of Australia's key T20I batters in recent times. The destructive middle-order batter has amassed 395 runs at a magnificent average of 49.38 and a blistering strike rate of 197.50. So, considering the vulnerability in their middle order, it would be a huge setback for them if David's hamstring injury rules him out of the 2026 T20 World Cup. 

Although Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has stated that Tim David could possibly get fit before the T20 World Cup, a grade 2 hamstring injury usually takes up to four to eight weeks to heal. Considering the timeline, he could be touch-and-go for the World Cup, starting on February 7. 

In such a scenario, if Tim David misses out, here are three players whom Australia can pick as his replacement for the T20 World Cup. 

Matt Renshaw

Criterion
Data
Innings4
Runs196
Average49
Strike Rate175

(Matt Renshaw in BBL 2025-26)

Left-handed batter Matt Renshaw has showcased remarkable form in white-ball cricket for quite a while now. Renshaw began his cricketing career as an opener; however, he has been a run machine since demoting himself to the middle order. 

Renshaw has had two consecutive stellar BBL seasons, having accumulated 476 runs at a superb strike rate of 171.84. A force to reckon with the bat, Renshaw can dominate both pace and spin, and hence he can be a suitable replacement for Tim David, who has mostly batted at four in T20I cricket this year. 

Josh Philippe

Criterion
Data
Innings4
Runs180
Average45
Strike Rate156.52

(Josh Philippe's BBL stats in 2025-26)

As evidenced by the above stats, Josh Philippe has set the BBL 2025-26 on fire with his batting exploits. The swashbuckling wicketkeeper has batted at three for Sydney Sixers, amassing 180 runs at an average of 45 and a strike rate of 156.52. 

Although Philippe generally plays as a top-order batter, his adaptability against spin makes him one of the most ideal candidates to replace Australia's number four, Tim David. The right-handed batter can play shots all around the park, and his red-hot form could pave the way for his inclusion in the Australian squad for the T20 World Cup if Tim David misses out. 

Cooper Connolly

Criterion
Data
Innings12
Runs320
Average35.6
Strike Rate151.7
Wickets7
Economy rate7.00

(Cooper Connolly in T20s in 2025)

If Australia wish to add an allrounder to their T20 World Cup side, Cooper Connolly could be one of the frontrunners to get into the team. 

The left-handed batter is in prolific touch, having struck 142 runs at an average of 47.33 and a strike rate of 189.33 for Perth Scorchers in the ongoing BBL season. Overall, Connolly has been impressive in T20 cricket this year, scoring 320 runs and scalping seven wickets with his left-arm off-spin. 

Considering Matthew Kuhnemann hasn't been convincing with his wicket-taking ability, and Australia will play all their T20 World Cup matches on Sri Lanka's spin-friendly pitches, Connolly can be a valuable addition to the team if Tim David fails to recover before the showpiece event.