As always, Australia cricket team boasts of a formidable line-up heading into the T20 World Cup 2026, with each member of the squad being a match-winner in their own right. After falling short of lifting the title in 2024 after a lacklustre performance, Mitchell Marsh and co. will be aiming to go all guns blazing. Most importantly, the target will be to demolish India at their own home, just like how they did in 2023.
Australia will have the services of experienced campaigners in the T20 World Cup, with each and every member of their squad having either tasted ICC glory in the past or are potential match-winners in the future. The Men in Yellow will look to perfect their playing XI and combinations in the series against Pakistan – which will begin from January 29 onwards – and will precede the T20 WC.
Predicted Australia XI for T20 World Cup 2026
| Player | Role |
| Travis Head | Opener |
| Mitchell Marsh (C) | Opener / All-rounder |
| Josh Inglis (WK) | Keeper-Batter |
| Cameron Green | All-rounder |
| Glenn Maxwell | All-rounder |
| Tim David | All-rounder |
| Marcus Stoinis | All-rounder |
| Matthew Kunhemann / Xavier Bartlett | Bowler |
| Adam Zampa | Bowler |
| Josh Hazlewood | Bowler |
| Nathan Ellis | Bowler |
All-round depth the key for Australia
Australia are expected to employ their best T20 batters – Marsh and Head – as openers for the World Cup. It is no hidden secret that both the batters have a thing to go after any opposition without a tinge of fear. They have displayed this ability in both T20 leagues and in T20Is in the past. Head and Marsh’s success in IPL, particularly in the 2025 edition, will boost their confidence in the T20 World Cup and they will be aiming to use their rich experience of playing in India to their advantage.
Head has 1197 runs from 47 T20Is, which includes 5 half-centuries. He can contribute with the ball as well, especially when the T20 World Cup is being played in India. But that depends on if Australia need his services. Marsh on the other hand, is in red-hot form, thanks to some impressive performances in the BBL. When it comes to T20Is, the all-rounder has 2083 runs and 17 wickets to his name from 81 T20Is.
Apart from the duo, Australia boast of an extensive all-round depth in the form of Green, Maxwell, David and Stoinis – all destructive batters and useful bowlers in their own rights. Such is the batting depth of Australia that it goes up to number 7 and these all-rounders are also their most reliable bowlers as well.
No Pat Cummins
Australia will miss out on the services of veteran Cummins in the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2026. However, they will not sweat over it, given that they have Hazlewood to spearhead the bowling attack. He will be partnered by Ellis, Stoinis, David and Bartlett perhaps (based on conditions). For the spin unit, Zampa is a sure-shot inclusion in the XI and Kunhemann could partner him, while Maxwell and Head serve as part-timers. However, Bartlett could replace Kuhnemann depending on where Australia play.
Injury concerns, however, continue to plague Australia. Hazlewood is still recovering from his Achilles Heel injury, while Ellis and David are yet to gain 100% fitness after sustaining blows to their hamstring during BBL. Cricket Australia are confident that these players will be fully fit in time for the T20 World Cup 2026.
Australia squad for T20 WC 2026
Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
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