Former Australian team captain and veteran cricket expert Ricky Ponting has made a big prediction regarding the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Ricky Ponting has told which team is the clear favorite in this World Cup? And how many chances does the Australian team have and which player can prove to be the X factor for Australia in this mega event. T20 World Cup 2026 is to be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7. In the last T20 World Cup played in USA and West Indies in 2024, Australia’s team could not go beyond Super 8. After losing to India and Afghanistan, their path to reaching the semi-finals was closed. After two years, there is T20 World Cup again and regarding this, Ricky Ponting has said in the ICC review that Australia has strong players to do well. He said, “If you look at the team, I think they have as good a chance as any team.” Ponting further predicted, “I think India will probably be the clear favorite in this event, because of the conditions, the talent and the group of players they have. They will be difficult to beat, but I really think we will see Australia in the semi-finals. There has been a bit of a change in the Australian team. It is not dramatic. If you look at the team they have selected, If we look at it, there is still a lot of experience in that team. Some people are injured or coming back from injury. That is probably their biggest concern right now. “Pat Cummins will not be a part of T20 World Cup 2026, which is a matter of concern. Regarding this, Ponting said, “One thing in that team is that there is very good flexibility with so many all-rounders. You look at (Marcus) Stoinis, (Glenn) Maxwell, Cameron Green, there are a lot of them. Cooper Connolly is a young player who has won the MVP (Most Valuable Player Award) in the BBL (Big Bash League) for the second year in a row. If that looks like it will change, then I think Australia. Will go with Connolly for backup of Maxwell and (Adam) Zampa. In such a situation, he will have 3 spin bowling options.
