Faf du Plessis picks his 5 best batting performances from T20 World Cup 2026

In an exclusive segment, former South African captain Faf du Plessis sat down to rank the most impactful batting performances of the T20 World Cup 2026 so far. Reflecting on the sheer quality of the tournament, Faf noted that he had to meticulously track the balls and match situations to truly capture the brilliance of these knocks. From legendary associate nation heroics to clinical finishes by world-class superstars, his list highlights the defining moments that have shaped this edition of the tournament.

Faf du Plessis unveils his top 5 batting knocks of the T20 World Cup 2026

Faf’s countdown begins with an explosive Afghan opener and culminates with a historic captain’s knock that broke a tournament-long drought.

5. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan) – 84 off 42 balls vs South Africa Faf started his list with Gurbaz’s heroic effort in Ahmedabad. In a chase of 188, Gurbaz single-handedly kept Afghanistan in the hunt with 7 massive sixes, reaching his fifty in just 26 balls. Faf highlighted Gurbaz’s incredible spirit in the Double Super Over that followed, where he hit three consecutive sixes off Keshav Maharaj, nearly pulling off a miracle before falling on the very last ball of the match.

4. Yuvraj Samra (Canada) – 110 off 65 balls vs New Zealand Labeling this a ‘special innings,’ Faf celebrated the 19-year-old Canadian who became the youngest centurion in T20 World Cup history. Samra’s masterclass in Chennai included 11 boundaries and 6 sixes, proving that Associate nations can dismantle elite attacks like New Zealand’s. Faf noted that Samra’s composure at such a young age on the global stage was “truly world-class.”

3. David Miller (South Africa) – 63 off 35 balls vs India At number three, Faf picked his fellow countryman’s ruthless display in Ahmedabad. Coming in after a top-order collapse against the defending champions, Miller dismantled India’s mystery spinners with 7 fours and 3 sixes. Faf credited this knock for South Africa’s massive 76-run victory, emphasizing Miller’s evolution into a “seasoned campaigner who thrives under extreme pressure.”

2. Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) – 100 off 52 balls vs Australia Nissanka earned the second spot for a ‘perfect T20 chase.’ Chasing 182 in Pallekele, Nissanka’s unbeaten century left the Australian attack shellshocked. Faf recalled cheering “Get in there!” as Nissanka struck 5 towering sixes, securing Sri Lanka’s Super 8 spot and pushing a powerhouse Australian side to the brink of elimination.

1. Harry Brook (England) – 100 off 51 balls vs Pakistan Taking the top spot is the history-making performance by the England captain. In a must-win Super 8 clash, Brook became the first captain ever to score a T20 World Cup century. Chasing 165 at Pallekele, he rescued England from 58/4, reaching his ton in just 50 balls. Faf ranked this #1 because of the sheer stakes, single-handedly securing England’s place as the first team to enter the semi-finals.

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T20 World Cup 2026: From 20 contenders to the final elite

The 2026 T20 World Cup began as a massive global spectacle featuring an unprecedented 20 diverse teams, ranging from established giants like Australia and India to spirited debutants like Italy. However, the competition has now reached its high-stakes business end. The tournament have transitioned from the initial group stage, where 12 teams, including notable exits like Australia, Afghanistan, and the USA, were eliminated, into the cutthroat Super 8 phase.

As of today, February 27, only eight elite teams remain in the hunt: India, South Africa, West Indies, and Zimbabwe in Group 1, and England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Group 2. With the semi-finals scheduled for March 4 and 5 in Kolkata and Mumbai, the margin for error has vanished. This final phase has become the ultimate testing ground for individual brilliance, where a single extraordinary innings can define a player’s career and determine a nation’s destiny on the world stage.

Also READ: India’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final qualification scenario after thumping win over Zimbabwe