'3 Extremely Critical Players' Identified For India's T20 World Cup Campaign: 'Ishan Kishan, Jasprit Bumrah And...'

'3 Extremely Critical Players' Identified For India's T20 World Cup Campaign: 'Ishan, Bumrah And...'

Last Updated:February 21, 2026, 06:38 IST

India resume their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on Sunday when they take on South Africa in the Super Eights.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 enters the Super Eights stage with title holders India set to face South Africa, Zimbabwe, and West Indies over the next eight days, hoping to qualify for the semi-finals stage. India’s record has been spotless in the group stage – four wins out of four. The momentum is with the co-hosts, but now they must step up, given that their next set of opponents are also unbeaten thus far and will be keen to exploit their weaknesses.

India have a few concerns, especially the form of their big-hitting opener Abhishek Sharma, who is yet to get off the mark at the tournament, having recorded three ducks in a row. While it’s anybody’s guess when the rising star will get going, former India coach and all-rounder Sanjay Bangar says the role of their team’s in-form stars will become even more crucial at this stage now.

Ishan Kishan continues to deliver with aplomb ever since his international comeback last month. With Abhishek struggling, it will be down to Ishan to give India the explosive starts they’ve become used to now in T20Is.

Bangar has identified three key players who will be “extremely critical" to India’s campaign.

“From here on, three players who are going to be extremely critical to India’s journey in this T20 World Cup are the men in form," Bangar said on JioHotstar. “That’s where I feel Ishan Kishan, given the way he has been batting and the lack of runs from Abhishek Sharma, becomes crucial. The onus is now on Ishan Kishan to provide those explosive starts. So, he is player number one."

India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has already delivered a game-changing performance in the ongoing tournament – an unbeaten 84 against USA to set up a match-winning total after his team was reduced to 77/6 at one stage.

“Player number two is Suryakumar Yadav. He has scored runs in most games on a consistent basis, while understanding the situation of the match," Bangar said.

“The third player is Jasprit Bumrah, because everybody is talking about the spin strength of this Indian team, but I believe Jasprit Bumrah will hold the key when the match is on the line, as far as bowling is concerned," he added.

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