MUMBAI (Kashmir English): As the T20 World Cup begins in India and Sri Lanka today, few fresh faces are expected to shine in the global spotlight.
Five young players, the sport experts believe, could make a big impact over the month-long, 20-team tournament.
T20 World Cup emerging players
Noor Ahmad (Afghanistan)
The 21-year-old left-arm wrist spinner is set for his third appearance at a cricket World Cup.
As a teenager, Ahmad enjoyed a breakthrough 2023 IPL season with Gujarat Titans where he was paired alongside Rashid.
In 2025, five-time IPL winners Chennai Super Kings splashed $1.19 million on Ahmad. He is expected to use his experience of playing in India in the mega event.
Cooper Connolly (Australia)
A batting all-rounder, Connolly can also bowl left-arm spin. He made his international debut in 2024.
In 2025, Connolly became the youngest Australian, at 22 years and two days, to take an ODI five-wicket haul against South Africa.
He was named Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year in January this year. He could make his T20 World Cup debut in Australia’s opening match against Ireland in Colombo next Wednesday.
Jacob Bethell (England)
The 22-year-old left-handed batsman comes into the global mega event with huge expectations, thanks to his fluent batting, part-time spin bowling and electric fielding.
Bethell became England’s youngest captain at 21 years and 329 days when he led the T20 team in Ireland in September last year.
Born in Barbados, Bethell has established himself as an all-format player and struck a coming-of-age Test century against Australia in Sydney in January.
Just on the eve of the tournament, Bethell took four wickets to spin England to a 3-0 T20 warm-up series triumph over Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
Kwena Maphaka (South Africa)
The teenage left-arm quick seems all set to add muscle to South Africa’s battery of pace bowlers alongside Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi at the T20 World Cup.
Maphaka, 19, made his T20 debut against the West Indies in 2024 and five months later became the youngest Test debutant for South Africa at 18 years and 270 days.
His T20 best of 4-20 last year against Australia in Darwin is a proof of his skills.
Coach Shukri Conrad said Maphaka has the “X-factor” in T20 cricket, citing his age-defying pace and skill.
Tilak Varma (India)
The 23-year-old left-hander has secured a spot in a competitive Indian batting line-up after averaging 49.29 in his 40 T20 internationals to date, with two centuries.
Varma, who has a T20 international best of 120 not out, made his debut against the West Indies in 2023 after impressing in the Indian Premier League.
