Discover the Bats Behind the T20 Cricket World Cup 2026

The 2024 T20 World Cup was a masterclass in power hitting and technical brilliance. Behind every towering six and crisp cover drive is a carefully selected piece of willow.

Here are the bats used by the tournament’s top five run-scorers to dominate on the world stage.

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan)

Total Runs: 281 The tournament’s leading run-scorer relied on the Virat Kohli Edition bat (often gifted to him by Kohli himself) and his standard Afghan-sponsored gear. Gurbaz’s success came from a high-backlift style that required a bat with a mid-to-low sweet spot, perfect for the slower, lower-bouncing tracks found in the Caribbean.

2. Rohit Sharma (India)

Total Runs: 257 The “Hitman” led India to glory using his signature CEAT Hitman Rohit Sharma Edition. This bat is known for its massive 40mm edges and a slightly concave profile, which allows for a lighter pickup despite the heavy wood. This balance is crucial for Rohit’s trademark pull shots and effortless lofted drives over extra cover.

3. Travis Head (Australia)

Total Runs: 255 The aggressive Aussie opener used the Gray-Nicolls Nova Players Edition. This bat features a mid-to-high sweet spot, which is ideal for “back-foot” dominant players like Head who thrive on horizontal bat shots like the cut and pull. Its pronounced spine ensures that even off-center hits carry over the boundary.

4. Quinton de Kock (South Africa)

Total Runs: 243 De Kock stayed loyal to his SS Ton Quinton De Kock Players bat. Designed for the clinical wicketkeeper-batter, this bat has a full profile with minimal concaving, meaning there is more wood directly behind the ball. This “beast” of a bat helps generate the immense power needed for his flick shots over square leg.

5. Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan)

Total Runs: 231 Gurbaz’s opening partner, Ibrahim Zadran, typically uses the Sareen Sports (SS) Heritage or Ton series. Zadran plays a more traditional, anchor-based role compared to Gurbaz, preferring a bat with a traditional round handle for better control and placement. His bat setup is designed for maximum stability, allowing him to play long innings and rotate strike effectively.

As the 2026 T20 World Cup unfolds in India and Sri Lanka, the tournament has already produced explosive batting displays. Unlike the slower Caribbean tracks of 2024, the subcontinent conditions in 2026 are rewarding batters who use lighter pickups for high swing speeds and extended sweet spots to handle the spinning ball.

Here are the bats powering the tournament’s most clinical finishers and current top scorers.

1. Tim Seifert (New Zealand)

Current Leading Scorer: 173 Runs

The Kiwi opener has dominated the group stages using the Kookaburra Ghost. Known for its clean, minimalist aesthetic, the Ghost is a favorite for Seifert because of its mid-profile sweet spot and colossal edges. This allows him to play his signature 360-degree game, finding boundaries behind the wicket with ease.

2. Suryakumar Yadav (India)

Key Contender / Top Scorer

The “World’s #1 T20 Batter” is currently wielding his signature SS SKY Players Edition. Specifically designed for his unique wristy style, this bat features a massive concave profile and light pickup, allowing him to generate incredible bat speed for those trademark “Supla” shots over fine leg.

3. Travis Head (Australia)

Current Scorer / Power Hitter

Maintaining his form from 2024, Head continues to rely on the Gray-Nicolls Nova Players Edition. The 2025-26 edition features a mid-to-high swell, which is essential for Head’s “stand and deliver” style. The pronounced spine provides maximum power through the hitting zone, even when he’s clearing the long boundaries of Ahmedabad.

4. Jos Buttler (England)

Elite Finisher

England’s captain uses the Kookaburra Kahuna Jos Buttler Replica. This bat is a legend in the T20 circuit, featuring a high sweet spot (approx. 200mm from the toe) and 34mm+ edges. It’s built for the “dynamic stroke player,” offering a balanced feel that suits Buttler’s ability to switch between delicate ramps and brute-force drives.

5. Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Technical Masterclass

Babar Azam anchors the Pakistan innings with the CA BA 56 Players Edition. This bat is crafted from Grade 1 English Willow and features a full duckbill profile. This design provides an exceptional “ping” and balance, making it perfect for Babar’s elite front-foot dominance and precision cover drives.

Comparison of the 2026 “Big Hitters” Gear