In an exclusive segment, the former South African captain Faf du Plessis sat down to rank his most impressive batting performances T20 World Cup 2026 until now. Reflecting on the high quality of the tournament, Faf noted that he had to watch the balls carefully and adjust the situations to really capture the brilliance of those shots. From legendary associate nation heroes to clinical finishes by world-class superstars, his list highlights the defining moments that shaped this edition of the tournament.
Faf du Plessis reveals his top 5 knocks of T20 World Cup 2026
Faf’s countdown begins with an explosive Afghan opener and ends with a historic captain’s knock that breaks a long drought in the tournament.
5. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan) – 84 off 42 balls against South Africa Faf started his list with Gurbaz’s heroics in Ahmedabad. Chasing 188, Gurbaz single-handedly kept Afghanistan in the hunt with 7 big sixes and reached his fifty in just 26 balls. Faf highlighted Gurbaz’s incredible spirit in the Double Super Over where he hit three consecutive sixes. Keshav Maharajalmost plucking the wonder before falling to the very last ball of the match.
4. Yuvraj Samra (Canada) – 110 off 65 balls against New Zealand Describing it as 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 the Associates can destroy an elite attack like New Zealand’s. Faf noted that Samra’s composure on the global stage at such a young age was “truly world-class”.
3. David Miller (South Africa) – 63 off 35 balls against India In the third place, Faf chose a ruthless image of his compatriot in Ahmedabad. Coming off the heels of a top-order collapse against the reigning champions, Miller dismantled India’s mystery spinners with 7 fours and 3 sixes. Faf credited the knock for South Africa’s massive 76-run victory, highlighting Miller’s development into “a seasoned campaigner who thrives under extreme pressure”.
2. Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) – 100 off 52 balls against Australia Nissanka earned the runner-up spot for a “perfect T20 chase”. Chasing 182 in Pallekele, Nissanka’s unbeaten century shocked the Australian attack. Faf “Come in!” Nissanka hit 5 powerful sixes to secure Sri Lanka’s Super 8 and push a strong Australian side to the brink of elimination.
1. Harry Brooke (England) – 100 off 51 balls against Pakistan It’s a history-making performance from the England captain at the top. In a must-win Super 8 encounter, Brooke became the first captain to score a T20 World Cup century. Chasing 165 at Pallekele, he rescued England from 58/4, reaching just 50 balls. Faf put it at No. 1 as he single-handedly secured England’s place as the first team to reach the semi-finals.
Also READ: Faf du Plessis makes boldest T20 opener of all time; Virat Kohli ignored
T20 World Cup 2026: From 20 contenders to final elite
The 2026 T20 World Cup began as a massive global spectacle featuring an unprecedented 20 diversity. teamsto giants built like Australia and India to such spirited debutantes Italy. However, competition has now reached the high-risk business end. The tournament went through a preliminary group stage, featuring 12 teams, including some notable performances. Australia, Afghanistanand USA, eliminated by cutting Super 8 phase.
As of today, February 27, only eight elite teams remain in the hunt: India, South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe In the 1st group and England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand In group 2. The margin of error has disappeared with the semi-finals scheduled for March 4 and 5 in Kolkata and Mumbai. This final stage has become the ultimate testing ground for individual brilliance, where one extraordinary innings can define a player’s career and decide a nation’s fate on the world stage.
Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final qualifying scenario after India’s big win over Zimbabwe
