Ajinkya Rahane predicts T20 World Cup 2026 MVP, highest scorer, wicket taker; Big semi-final calls: The bells are already ringing for the 2026 T20 World Cup, as every team gears up for the upcoming ICC event, which is scheduled to begin on February 7, 2026. The two hosts India and Sri Lanka are all set to host 20 teams each. Three matches are scheduled on the first day, in which Pakistan will face Netherlands in the first match, followed by West Indies against recently debuted Scotland. Later in the evening, defending champions India face the United States.
Ahead of the major competition, pundits, former cricketers and analysts are making their predictions on the MVP, leading run scorer, highest wicket taker, secret horse and champion of the tournament. Ajinkya Rahane has recently joined in to provide his insights on the above mentioned lists.
Ajinkya Rahane picks his highest run scorer for T20 World Cup
When the former India captain was asked about the leading run-scorer in the tournament during a discussion on Cricbuzz, Ajinkya Rahane predicted that it would be Abhishek Sharma. The southpaw has been India’s best T20 batsman in recent times. His strike rate when opening the innings for the Men in Blue is over 190. The No. 1 T20I batsman has amazing numbers with nearly 1,300 runs at an average of over 37 in 38 innings since making his debut after the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Abhishek also holds the record for the second fastest half-century (14 balls) and century (37 balls) by an Indian batsman in T20Is. This makes him an obvious selection in the leading run scorer list, as he has also been chosen by Ricky Ponting to be the probable player of the tournament and the highest run scorer.
Rahane has predicted his highest wicket taker and MVP
Ajinkya Rahane picked Jasprit Bumrah as the bowler with the highest wicket taker for the premier competition. The Indian speedster has been leading for India across all formats and has been consistently performing well for the Men in Blue.
He bowled brilliantly in the final of T20 World Cup 2024 and also helped India win the trophy. He will be crucial with the new ball and in the death overs if India are to perform well against tough opponents in the Super 8 stages. As he was the Player of the Tournament in India’s T20 World Cup success last time.
Talking about Most Valuable Player (MVP) or Player of the Tournament, Ajinkya Rahane had predicted that it would be Hardik Pandya. Pandya has been a vital member of India’s white-ball team and has performed well when needed. He played a key role in the previous edition of the tournament, where he averaged 48 and had a strike rate of over 150.
He bowled brilliantly and took 11 wickets and demonstrated his all-round ability. Pandya also bowled the last over of the final, where he took the wicket of David Miller on the very first ball when 16 runs were needed in the last over, thereby turning the fortunes in India’s favour.
Rahane rejected big name for semi-finalist
Ajinkya Rahane also predicted the semi-finalists, picking India, South Africa, England and Sri Lanka. The former Indian batsman has once again predicted India and South Africa to be finalists. He believes Afghanistan will be the dark horse for the tournament.
Also Read: Ricky Ponting snubs Jasprit Bumrah while announcing Player of the Tournament for T20 World Cup 2026