For the first time since 2009, Australia national cricket team have failed to progress beyond the group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

A shock defeat to Zimbabwe in Group C ended their campaign prematurely — a stunning fall for a side that lifted the trophy in 2021.

From champions in Dubai to a group-stage exit in 2026, what went wrong for Australia in just five years?

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🏆 From 2021 Glory to 2026 Disappointment

Australia’s T20 World Cup journey over the last five years:

• 2021 (UAE): Champions
• 2022 (Home): Failed to defend title
• 2024: Eliminated in Super 8
• 2026: Knocked out in group stage

While Australia have historically dominated the 50-over World Cup, winning six ODI titles, their T20 record tells a different story. Across 10 editions, they have won the T20 World Cup only once — in 2021.

That triumph now appears more like an exception than the beginning of sustained dominance.

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🔎 Selection Blunders: A Costly Gamble?

One of the biggest talking points surrounding Australia’s exit has been selection decisions.

❗ Injury Risks Taken

Australia selected injured players such as:

• Pat Cummins
• Josh Hazlewood
• Tim David

Both Cummins and Hazlewood were eventually ruled out, with Ben Dwarshuis replacing Cummins. Surprisingly, no immediate replacement was named for Hazlewood as selectors appeared confident of reaching the Super 8 stage.

That confidence proved costly.

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🧩 Unbalanced Playing XI

The turning point arguably came in Pallekele against Sri Lanka, where Australia collapsed dramatically:

• From 104/0 to 181 all out
• Lost last six wickets for just 21 runs

Veteran batter Steve Smith was added late to the squad but benched in spin-friendly conditions — precisely the kind where his experience could have stabilised the innings.

Former Australian cricketer Ian Healy criticised the team balance on SEN Cricket, highlighting:

• Over-reliance on finishers
• Lack of top-order anchors
• Form concerns around certain selections
• Players being shuffled across batting positions

Australia appeared stacked with power-hitters but lacked batters capable of navigating tricky middle overs.

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📉 Has T20 Become Australia’s Least Prioritised Format?

Perhaps the deeper issue lies beyond just squad selection.

Since January 1, 2022, Australia have played only 72 T20Is — the fewest among full-member nations.

T20Is Played Since 2022 (Full Members)

Team	Matches
India	118
Pakistan	106
West Indies	96
New Zealand	95
Zimbabwe	92
Bangladesh	89
Sri Lanka	80
England	78
Ireland	74
Afghanistan	73
South Africa	73
Australia	72

Many of these matches were World Cup fixtures, meaning Australia have had limited preparation outside major tournaments.

Additionally:

• First-choice players were frequently rested
• Bilateral T20Is featured second-string squads
• Core players rarely played together consistently

Even before the 2026 World Cup, Australia’s main squad did not feature together in the final T20I series against Pakistan.

Lack of continuity clearly affected team cohesion and adaptability.

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⚖️ Strategic Miscalculation: Power Over Stability

Australia’s recent T20 blueprint leaned heavily toward explosive hitters.

However, modern T20 cricket increasingly demands:

• Anchors who rotate strike
• Batters adept against spin
• Tactical flexibility

In subcontinental conditions, their power-heavy approach backfired. The middle overs exposed their vulnerability against quality spin attacks.

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🔄 Is a T20 Reset Coming?

History shows that setbacks can spark transformation.

After India’s 10-wicket semifinal loss in the 2022 T20 World Cup, they revamped their approach and embraced fearless cricket.

Australia now face a similar crossroads.

With the next T20 World Cup scheduled to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the team management may need to:

• Rebuild a stable T20 core
• Prioritise bilateral series
• Define clear batting roles
• Invest in spin-friendly adaptability

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📌 The Bigger Picture

Australia remain dominant in:

• Test cricket
• ODI tournaments

However, T20 cricket demands constant evolution.

The 2026 exit is not merely a bad tournament — it signals deeper structural and strategic questions about format prioritisation.

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🔥 Final Take

Australia’s fall from champions to group-stage exit in five years is a story of:

• Risky selections
• Lack of continuity
• Overemphasis on power
• Under-prioritisation of T20 cricket

Whether this becomes a temporary slump or a catalyst for reinvention will define their trajectory in the shortest format over the next decade.

Star India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan delivered a match-winning performance against arch-rivals Pakistan in Match 27 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scripting history in the process.

With a blistering 77 off just 40 deliveries at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Kishan became the first Indian wicketkeeper-batter to win the Player of the Match (POTM) award in T20 World Cup history.

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🇮🇳 India vs Pakistan: A One-Sided Classic in Colombo

India dominated the high-voltage clash from start to finish, registering a commanding 61-run victory.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, India got off to a flying start courtesy of Kishan’s aggressive intent in the powerplay. His knock featured:

• Explosive stroke play against both pace and spin
• Smart gap-finding on a large Colombo outfield
• Excellent strike rotation under pressure
• Controlled aggression despite tricky pitch conditions

India posted a competitive 175 runs in the first innings — a total that proved more than enough on a slightly two-paced surface.

In response, Pakistan struggled to build partnerships and were bowled out for 114 runs, handing India a comprehensive win and confirming their qualification for the Super 8 stage.

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🏆 Historic Milestone for Ishan Kishan

While India has had several iconic T20 World Cup performances over the years, Kishan’s achievement stands out for a unique reason:

👉 He is now the first Indian wicketkeeper-batter to claim a Player of the Match award in the tournament’s history.

This milestone adds another chapter to India-Pakistan T20 World Cup encounters, often defined by individual brilliance under pressure.

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🎯 Kishan’s Post-Match Reaction

Speaking after receiving the award, Kishan acknowledged the challenging conditions and emphasized preparation and self-belief.

“The wicket was not that easy. Sometimes, you just have to believe and focus on your strengths. I was just watching the ball and sticking to my strengths. I worked a lot on my off-side game so I can control where they bowl. On a big ground, you get bigger gaps — trying to hit the gaps and take twos was important. We knew 160–170 would be a good total.”

His clarity about strike rotation and targeting gaps highlighted a mature approach rather than reckless hitting — a key factor in India’s dominant performance.

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📊 Match Turning Points

• Powerplay acceleration: Kishan’s fearless start put Pakistan’s bowlers under immediate pressure.
• Middle-overs stability: India avoided a collapse despite the surface offering grip.
• Disciplined bowling: Indian bowlers maintained tight lines, never allowing Pakistan to build momentum.
• Fielding intensity: Sharp ground fielding further squeezed the chase.

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🌍 Why This Knock Matters

India-Pakistan clashes in ICC tournaments are among the most watched cricket matches globally. Performing in such high-pressure environments often defines careers.

Kishan’s knock:

• Reinforces his position in India’s T20 setup
• Showcases adaptability on slower tracks
• Demonstrates temperament in marquee games
• Strengthens India’s batting depth ahead of the Super 8

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🔥 What’s Next for India?

With qualification secured, India will now look to carry this momentum into the Super 8 stage. Consistency in the middle order and continued aggressive starts could make them strong contenders for the title.

For Ishan Kishan, this innings could prove to be a defining moment in his T20 World Cup journey — one that may be remembered alongside India’s finest performances in ICC tournaments.

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Final Take

In a match where expectations ran sky-high, Ishan Kishan rose above the pressure and delivered when it mattered most. Against Pakistan, on a global stage, he didn’t just score runs — he etched his name into T20 World Cup history.

History was made at the Wankhede Stadium on February 12 as Italy registered their first-ever victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, defeating Nepal by a commanding 10 wickets.

The celebrations that followed were emotional, historic — and star-studded.

Italy’s players marked the moment with renowned Bollywood actor Kabir Bedi, who shares a deep connection with Italy and has long been a celebrated figure in the country.

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A Dream Realised for Italian Cricket

Chasing a modest target of 124, Italy completed the task in just 12.4 overs without losing a wicket. As the winning runs were scored, Italian Cricket Federation president Simone Gambino was visibly emotional, shedding tears as decades of effort finally bore fruit.

Standing beside him during the celebrations was Kabir Bedi — an old friend and cultural icon in Italy.

For those unaware, Bedi achieved immense popularity in Italy after starring in the 1976 Italian television miniseries Sandokan. In the show, he portrayed the rebellious pirate “Sandokan,” also known as the Malaysian Tiger, a character that became a household name in Italy.

“In Italy they only know you. The Malaysian Tiger — Kabir Bedi,” Gambino said during the emotional exchange.

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Kabir Bedi Congratulates Italy in Italian

The Italian cricket team shared a video on their official Instagram account showing Bedi congratulating Gambino and interacting with the players — even speaking in Italian.

Bedi also reflected on how Gambino had long dreamed of putting Italy on the global cricket map — a dream that now appears within reach.

The moment symbolised not just a sporting achievement, but also a cultural bridge between India and Italy.

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Italy Send Warning to England

Buoyed by the historic win, Gambino even issued a bold statement about their ambitions in the tournament.

With the 10-wicket victory over Nepal, Italy leapfrogged England in Group C on net run rate and moved to third place in the standings.

“I would’ve never imagined this moment. But now we are going right back to Kolkata to shoot down England. We want to be in semis,” Gambino said in a celebratory video.

While the comment was made in excitement, it reflects Italy’s growing confidence as they continue their World Cup journey.

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Mosca Brothers Power Italy to Victory

On the field, Italy delivered a near-perfect performance.

After opting to bowl first, Italy restricted Nepal to 123 runs.

• Crishan Kalugamage starred with figures of 3/18 in four overs.
• Ben Manenti was equally economical, conceding just nine runs while picking up two wickets.

In reply, the Mosca brothers sealed the historic win:

• Justin Mosca
• Anthony Mosca

The duo stitched together an unbeaten 124-run opening partnership, completing the chase in emphatic fashion and ensuring Italy’s first-ever T20 World Cup victory.

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What This Win Means for Italy

This result is significant for several reasons:

• 🇮🇹 Italy’s first win in T20 World Cup history
• 📈 Improved net run rate and stronger qualification hopes
• 🌍 Boost for cricket’s growth in non-traditional European nations
• 🎥 A viral cultural moment featuring Kabir Bedi

Italy’s victory not only energises their campaign but also highlights the expanding footprint of cricket beyond traditional powerhouses.