England headline a group that features a former champion and some high energy entrants that will pull out all the stops to taste T20 World Cup victory.
Group C is going to be one to watch at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Not only are England and the West Indies two of three sides to have won this tournament twice, not to mention have played in some epics over the years, but the other contenders are set to bring plenty of compelling storylines.
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Italy are the lone debutants for this edition, after their remarkable qualification run. Their first T20 World Cup appearance will be against Scotland in a Qualification grudge match (for more on that, keep reading).
But England are the heavyweights. They are ranked 3rd in T20Is and are stacked with talent, which will be unpacked.
Here is how it’s all shaping up in Group C at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Group C Teams
England, West Indies, Italy, Nepal, Scotland
One Player to Watch
Adil Rashid (England)
Given the importance of spin in the Indian and Sri Lankan conditions, the wily veteran will spearhead England’s bowling arsenal.
Rashid is the ICC’s fourth-ranked T20I bowler, up two spots from last week, after producing five wickets at an impressive economy in his side’s recent three-game series with Sri Lanka, which formed part of their tournament preparations.
England are one of the World Cup heavyweights. But while they have plenty of hitting power, Rashid will be a pivotal bowling option. Captain Harry Brook will turn to him in key moments in the field and expect results.
Group C Squads
England: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood
England have a team and squad capable of going all the way in India and Sri Lanka. They are part of an exclusive club that includes India and the West Indies as teams that have won the T20 World Cup more than once; the English did it in 2010 and 2022.
Harry Brook is in charge, having taken over the reins left by Jos Buttler last year. Both power hitters will be crucial to England’s chances of posting big totals, along with opener Phil Salt who is also amongst the world’s elite.
The aforementioned Adil Rashid will be an important bowling option, along with speed demon Jofra Archer, who has successfully recovered from a side strain in England’s Ashes campaign in Australia. All-rounder Sam Curran was Player of the Tournament in 2022 and he’s in the mix as well. Match-winners everywhere you look.
West Indies: Shai Hope (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd
It’s been too long since the West Indies reached the knockout stage of a T20 World Cup, dating back to 2016 when they clinched their second title to, at the time, become the first two-time champion.
It’s the performance variance that may haunt the West Indies; their best is world-beating, but they would love to find that output more consistently. It’s often the top order that dictates their fortunes, with captain Shai Hope, fellow opener Brandon King and in-form hitter Shimron Hetmyer that hold the keys.
There are widespread expectations that the Windies will make it the the Super Eight. But can they go further and return to the high pressure nature of knockout tournament cricket?
Italy: Wayne Madsen (c), Marcus Campopiano, Gian Piero Meade, Zain Ali, Ali Hasan, Crishan Jorge Kalugamage, Harry Manenti, Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Benjamin Manenti, Jaspreet Singh, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart, Thomas Draca
We cannot wait to see Italy in action at an ICC World Cup for the first time.
After their epic qualification journey, capped off with a stunning 12-run victory over Scotland in the European Qualifier, the Italians will have attention of the world in their debut match on February 9. That game just so happens to be against the Scots, who gained 11th hour tournament entry, in what will be billed as a grudge match of high interest.
English county stalwart Wayne Madsen, 42, leads the side. He’s recently coming off a 61* that will help with his confidence.
Harry Manenti took five wickets in the Qualifier final against Scotland, while his brother Ben is also a known quantity on the cricketing scene. Both are dual citizens and have Big Bash League experience. Ben played for the Sydney Sixers in the recent BBL final.
Scotland: Richie Berrington (c), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Oliver Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Bradley Wheal. Travelling reserves: Jasper Davidson, Jack Jarvis. Non-travelling reserves: Mackenzie Jones, Chris McBride, Charlie Tear
Scotland’s 11th hour entry, replacing Bangladesh, marks a fifth consecutive appearance at Men’s T20 World Cups. They will be committed to justifying their call up and making waves.
Veteran captain Richie Berrington, who has a T20I ton to his name, will be pulling the reins. 26-year-old batter Brandon McMullen will be crucial, boasting seven international fifties to his name. While Mark Watt is 11 scalps short of reaching 100 T20I wickets, a milestone he will be targeting at the tournament.
Nepal: Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Sundeep Jora, Aarif Sheikh, Basir Ahamad, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Gulshan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sher Malla, Lokesh Bam
Nepal and their fans always bring the energy at major cricket tournaments and this will be no exception.
Former Australian international Stuart Law is in charge of this group that continues to put on competitive displays when given the opportunity in major tournaments.
Vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee has a T20I century to his name, while Sandeep Lamichhane was Nepal’s leading wicket taker last year, taking 21 wickets.
