Cricket predictions: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup – five tournament debutants to watch

The T20 World Cup provides the platform for the world’s leading white-ball players to shine, but also an opportunity for emerging talents with less international experience on their CV to showcase themselves and step up for their nation.

Here, we highlight five key players who are set to embark on their maiden World Cup campaign and could have a leading role to play.

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Abhishek Sharma (India)

The 25-year-old opener is the current number one-ranked T20 batter in the world and could be one of the standout players in this edition of the T20 World Cup.

Since making his international debut in July 2024, following the T20I retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the left-hander has amassed 1,199 runs at a staggering strike rate in excess of 190.

Abhishek has also formed the IPL’s most explosive top-order partnership with Travis Head at Sunrisers Hyderabad, playing a starring role in SRH registering the four highest team totals in the competition’s history over the last two seasons.

England fans may also remember Sharma’s scintillating 37-ball century during the fifth T20I in Mumbai a year ago, where the opener blasted 13 sixes in his 135 off 54 balls – the highest T20I score by an Indian batter – to condemn the tourists to a record margin of defeat.

Such is Abhishek’s impressive form across the IPL and international cricket that big names such as Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal have been overlooked from the squad, and a recent 35-ball 84 in the first T20I against New Zealand could be an indication of the fireworks to come that will light up the competition for the co-hosts.

Dewald Brevis (South Africa)

The 22-year-old batting sensation, who has already drawn comparisons with the great AB de Villiers, could prove to be a key figure as the Proteas go in search of a maiden white-ball title.

His six-hitting ability has established him as one of the premier X-factor talents in world cricket after a breakthrough Under-19 World Cup campaign in 2022 – now a hugely in-demand commodity on the franchise circuit – and has scored 269 runs during the ongoing SA20 as his side Pretoria Capitals booked their place in the final.

Brevis announced himself on the international stage with a sublime 125* off 56 balls against Australia in August 2025 – becoming the youngest Proteas batter to score a T20I century in the process – and has filled the void in the middle order left by the premature retirement of Heinrich Klaasen, with experienced heads around him in what is a strong-looking South Africa batting lineup.

Brian Bennett (Zimbabwe)

A name to monitor from one of the less-fancied nations who could ignite his career on the big stage is Zimbabwe’s rising star Bennett, who scored the fourth-most runs of any batter across all formats in 2025.

The aggressive opener made a memorable Test century against England at Trent Bridge in May off just 97 balls, in what was an otherwise heavily one-sided contest, as well as registering a maiden ODI hundred against Ireland in February and reaching three figures in T20I’s for the first time in September during a run of four consecutive 50+ scores in the crucial T20 World Cup Africa Region qualifiers.

Zimbabwe beat Pakistan in the 2022 edition but failed to qualify two years later, and the 22-year-old could play an important role at the top of the order if the 2027 World Cup co-hosts are to progress against Australia and Sri Lanka from Group B.

Cooper Connolly (Australia)

It has been a whirlwind rise for the Australian all-rounder, who has been capped across all three formats at international level, earned his first IPL deal with Punjab Kings in the December Auction and was recently named the 2026 Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year.

The stylish left-hander rose to prominence at the age of 19 with a match-winning cameo for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League final three years ago and made 351 runs at an average of 50 in the 2024-25 edition.

Connolly has struggled for runs this time around, despite the Scorchers reaching the final, but has proved a useful spin option with 15 wickets at an economy rate of just 6.56, which will come in handy in sub-continent conditions, should he get the nod to start.

Jacob Duffy (New Zealand)

The batters tend to grab all the headlines in the shortest format, but New Zealand quick Duffy could prove to be one of the leading seamers on display, with spin expected to play a major role throughout the tournament.

No bowler claimed more wickets across all formats in 2025 than the 31-year-old (81), who boasts a hugely impressive international record to date, particularly in T20I cricket with 55 wickets at an average of 16.92 and economy rate of 7.35.

With legendary new-ball duo Trent Boult and Tim Southee both playing their final T20I match at the last World Cup, Duffy will spearhead the Kiwi attack this time around alongside Matt Henry, who both provide a strong combination of bounce and control.

READ MORE: Cricket predictions: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup outright picks