The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has thrown up plenty of surprises, but few have been as concerning for Indian fans as the repeated early collapses at the top of the order. Defending champions India have advanced to the Super 8 stage despite these struggles, yet their opening partnerships have averaged a dismal 6.80 runs across the group matches. This figure ranks them last among the 20 competing teams, raising serious questions about the team’s strategy ahead of crucial knockout games.
The Alarming Stats: India Ranks Bottom Among 20 Teams
Data from the group stage paints a grim picture for India’s openers. Across five matches, their partnerships have averaged a mere 6.80 runs, placing them 20th out of 20 teams. Even emerging sides like Oman (10.00), Ireland (14.33), and the UAE (15.50) have fared better. For context, top performers include New Zealand at 84.00, Scotland at 57.75, and Australia at 54.25.
Here’s the full list of opening partnership averages in the 2026 T20 World Cup so far:
| Team | Average |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | 84.00 |
| Scotland | 57.75 |
| Australia | 54.25 |
| Zimbabwe | 53.33 |
| Italy | 45.66 |
| Canada | 38.75 |
| South Africa | 37.20 |
| USA | 36.25 |
| Afghanistan | 33.25 |
| Namibia | 32.25 |
| Nepal | 30.25 |
| Pakistan | 30.25 |
| West Indies | 27.50 |
| Sri Lanka | 24.00 |
| Netherlands | 22.00 |
| England | 16.40 |
| UAE | 15.50 |
| Ireland | 14.33 |
| Oman | 10.00 |
| India | 6.80 |
This is India’s worst opening average in any T20 World Cup, dipping below previous lows like 8.50 earlier this year and 14.66 from 2022. Four ducks in five innings have been a key culprit, forcing the team to rebuild from scratch almost every game.
Match-by-Match Breakdown
India’s group-stage outings tell the story of repeated early stumbles:
- Against USA: Partnership ended in 1.2 overs
- Against Namibia: Lasted 2 overs
- Against Pakistan: Just 1 over
- Against Netherlands: 0.3 overs
- Against South Africa: 0.4 overs
These short stands have left stars like Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya to rescue the innings time and again. Openers Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Sanju Samson have faced the heat, with fans recalling stronger pairs like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. That duo boasts averages over 58 in bilateral T20s and holds records for India’s highest chase partnerships (165* and 156*).
Looking Ahead: Super 8 Clash with Zimbabwe Looms
As the Super 8s kick off, India takes on Zimbabwe on February 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM IST. A convincing win could lift spirits and standings. Captain Suryakumar Yadav must decide on changes—perhaps recalling proven openers—to spark a turnaround. With India’s deep talent, a fix here could propel them toward another title.
In my view, India’s opening issues highlight the gap between domestic leagues and high-stakes internationals. It’s a wake-up call, but if the selectors act swiftly, this team has the firepower to silence critics and chase glory. Let’s hope the Super 8s bring the turnaround India deserves.
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