WATCH |Suresh Raina Backs Suryakumar Yadav as India’s Top Run-Scorer

Former Indian cricketers backed Suryakumar Yadav over Abhishek Sharma to finish as India’s top run-scorer in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will run from February 7 to March 8. The tournament will feature 20 teams. Matches will take place at eight venues, with five in India and three in Sri Lanka.

India will enter the event as defending champions. Ahead of the tournament, several former Indian cricketers shared predictions on India’s leading run scorer. Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan and Robin Uthappa backed India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav as India’s top run-scorer. They highlighted his consistency and impact in the shortest format.

“India’s captain, World Cup captain, Surya Kumar Yadav,” Raina said on Star Sports. “I really bank on Surya Kumar Yadav,” Pathan chipped in.

Who could dominate the run charts at the ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup 2026? 🤔

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— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 27, 2026

Notably, Suryakumar Yadav has shown impressive form before the tournament. He scored 32 off 22 balls in the first T20I against New Zealand. He then remained unbeaten on 82 and 57 in matches played on January 23 and January 25.

Kumble and Pujara pick Abhishek Sharma

Additionally, Mohammad Kaif and Sanjay Bangar predicted Tilak Varma as India’s top run-scorer at the 2026 T20 World Cup. Aakash Chopra, Anil Kumble and Cheteshwar Pujara supported Abhishek Sharma.

READ ALSO | T20 World Cup 2026: Full Squad Lists for All 20 Teams

Abhishek topped India’s T20I run charts in 2025. He continued in strong form in 2026 with two half-centuries in three matches. He scored 84 off 35 balls against New Zealand in Nagpur on January 21 and followed it with an unbeaten 68 off 20 balls in the third T20I on January 25.