Ajinkya Rahane predicts T20 World Cup 2026 MVP, highest scorer, wicket-taker; makes big semi-final call: The bells are already ringing for the 2026 T20 World Cup, as every team gears up for the upcoming ICC event, scheduled to start from 7th February 2026. The two-hosts India and Sri Lanka are all set for the 20 teams event. Three matches are scheduled on the first day, with Pakistan taking onthe Netherlands in the opening game of the fixture, followed by West Indies facing newly introduced Scotland. Later, in the evening, defending champions India are taking on the USA.
Ahead of the major competition, the pundits, former cricketers, and analyst are making their predictions on the MVP, leading run scorer, highest wicket-taker, dark horses and champions of the tournament. Ajinkya Rahane has been a recent addition to providing his insights on the above-mentioned lists.
Ajinkya Rahane picks his leading run-getter for the T20 World Cup
The former India captain, when asked about the leading run getter for the tournament during a discussion on Cricbuzz, Ajinkya Rahane predicted it to be Abhishek Sharma. The Southpaw has been India’s best T20 batter in recent times. He has a strike rate of over 190 while opening the innings for the Men in Blue. The No.1 T20I batter has amazing numbers since debuting post 2024 T20 World Cup with almost 1,300 runs at an average of over 37 in 38 outings.
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Abhishek also holds the record for the second-fastest half-century (14 balls) and century (37 balls) in T20Is by an Indian batter. This makes him an obvious pick in the leading run scorer list, as he has also been picked by Ricky Ponting to become the possible Player of the Tournament and the highest run scorer as well.
Rahane predicts his highest wicket-taker and MVP
Ajinkya Rahane picked Jasprit Bumrah as the highest-wicket taker for the major competition. The Indian speedster has been leading the charge for India across formats and has been consistently delivering for the Men in Blue.
He bowled brilliantly in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 and helped India win the trophy as well. He will be crucial with the new ball and in the death overs if India needs to perform well against tough opponents at the Super 8 stages. As he was the Player of the Tournament in India’s T20 World Cup success last time.
Coming to the Most Valuable Player (MVP) or the Player of the Tournament, Ajinkya Rahane predicted it to be Hardik Pandya. Pandya has been a crucial member of India’s white-ball setup and has been a solid performer when needed. He was instrumental in the previous edition of the tournament, where he averaged 48 and had a strike rate of over 150.
He bowled beautifully, picking up 11 wickets and showcasing his all-round ability. Pandya also bowled the final over of the final, where he picked up the wicket of David Miller in the very first ball with 16 needed of the last over, which changed the fortunes in India’s favour.
Rahane snubs big name for semi-finalist
Ajinkya Rahane also predicted the semi-finalists, picking out India, South Africa, England, and Sri Lanka. India and South Africa are once again predicted to be the finalists by the former Indian batter. He believes Afghanistan will be the dark horse for the tournament.
Also Read: Ricky Ponting snubs Jasprit Bumrah as he announces Player of the Tournament for T20 World Cup 2026
