As of mid-February 2026, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is in full swing across India and Sri Lanka, and the rankings table tells a fascinating story. These numbers are not just a list.
They decide seedings, tournament brackets, and which teams carry the most pressure walking onto the field. Right now, India sits at the very top with a rating that no other team can touch.
Below them, nine other nations are fighting hard to prove they belong among the world’s best. Here is a complete breakdown of where every top team stands today.
The Official ICC Men’s T20I Rankings 2026
The current standings reflect months of bilateral series results and World Cup group stage performances. Here is the full top 10 as it stands today.
These rankings are calculated using a points-based system that factors in match results over a rolling period.
| Rank | Team | Matches | Rating | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 79 | 273 | 21,569 |
| 2 | England | 52 | 258 | 13,433 |
| 3 | Australia | 48 | 258 | 12,377 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 61 | 250 | 15,255 |
| 5 | South Africa | 59 | 243 | 14,315 |
| 6 | Pakistan | 81 | 238 | 19,268 |
| 7 | West Indies | 70 | 236 | 16,510 |
| 8 | Sri Lanka | 56 | 229 | 12,846 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 67 | 223 | 14,925 |
| 10 | Afghanistan | 51 | 221 | 11,273 |
Teams that win against higher-ranked opponents gain more rating points. Every match in this World Cup directly affects where teams finish on this table.
The Top 10 Teams: Full Breakdown
Here is the breakdown of all 10 teams:
1. India – Rating: 273
India sits at the top of the world with a rating of 273, and the gap between it and the rest of the pack is enormous. Suryakumar Yadav’s side has exceptional squad depth, a world-class bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah, and a batting lineup that can destroy any team on any surface.
They are co-hosting this World Cup and carrying the weight of the world’s loudest cricket fanbase. Right now, India looks unstoppable.
2. England – Rating: 258
England sits second with a rating of 258, holding onto their position with a strong and explosive batting group. They recently swept Sri Lanka 3-0 in a bilateral series, which showed their ability to perform under pressure in subcontinental conditions.
Harry Brook leads a squad full of power-hitters and versatile bowlers who can adapt to any pitch. England is a genuine threat to any team they face in this tournament.
3. Australia – Rating: 258
Australia shares 258 rating points with England, but sits third in points. They remain one of the most dangerous sides in world cricket, with a well-balanced squad that has been performing consistently across formats.
Known for their mental toughness and ability to win big tournament games, Australia is always a threat. Their experience in knockout cricket makes them one of the most feared sides when the pressure rises in the later rounds.
4. New Zealand – Rating: 250
New Zealand continues to be one of the most consistent sides in world cricket, sitting fourth with a rating of 250. They rarely produce individual superstars but always find a way to win as a team.
Their tactical cricket and smart decision-making under pressure make them a side no one enjoys playing. New Zealand has a habit of quietly putting together wins when it matters most, which is exactly what T20 knockout cricket demands.
5. South Africa – Rating: 243
South Africa has climbed into the top five with a rating of 243, backed by a power-packed squad full of explosive hitters and high-quality fast bowlers.
Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje give them one of the best pace attacks in the world, while David Miller and Quinton de Kock provide serious firepower with the bat. South Africa’s group stage results in this World Cup show they are not just making up the numbers this time.
6. Pakistan – Rating: 238
Pakistan sits sixth with a rating of 238, and they remain one of the most unpredictable and dangerous teams in world cricket. They recently jumped up the rankings after some strong bilateral results, and Shaheen Shah Afridi-led pace attack can take down any batting lineup on a good day.
Pakistan’s tournament cricket always brings drama. They have the ability to beat anyone when they play their best cricket, which makes them a real wildcard in this World Cup.
7. West Indies – Rating: 236
West Indies hold seventh place with a rating of 236, and they carry the title of T20 cricket’s most explosive team in history. Two-time T20 World Cup winners, they bring a brand of aggressive cricket that no other team can quite replicate.
Big hitters, fearless attitude, and the ability to win games from seemingly impossible situations define this team. When the West Indies are in full flow, they can beat anyone in the world on any given day.
8. Sri Lanka – Rating: 229
Sri Lanka sits eighth with a rating of 229 and carries the added weight of co-hosting this World Cup on home soil. They want to use their familiar spin conditions to their advantage and push deep into the tournament.
Their spinners can be nearly unplayable on Sri Lankan pitches, and experienced batters like Pathum Nissanka give their top order real solidity. Sri Lanka’s home advantage makes them more dangerous than their ranking suggests in this competition.
9. Bangladesh – Rating: 223
Bangladesh holds ninth place with a rating of 223, which is a strong achievement considering they withdrew from this year’s World Cup due to security concerns. Despite not being part of the tournament, their consistent bilateral series performances over recent years have kept them firmly inside the top ten.
Bangladesh is one of the most improved T20 sides from Asia over the last decade and remains a force that other teams take seriously.
10. Afghanistan – Rating: 221
Afghanistan completes the top ten with a rating of 221, and they are arguably the most exciting team in this bracket. Known as true giant-slayers, they have built one of the best spin attacks in world cricket around Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
They are currently making waves in the group stages of this World Cup and have the ability to knock out any higher-ranked team on a spinning pitch. Never underestimate Afghanistan.
Key Takeaways and Analysis
The India Gap Is Massive
India’s rating of 273 is a full 15 points ahead of second-placed England and Australia on 258. That is not a small margin in the ICC rating system. It reflects India’s dominant run of results over a long period across all conditions and opposition.
For any team to overtake India at the top, they would need India to have a poor run of results while simultaneously stringing together wins of their own. That looks very unlikely in the near future.
The Dark Horse to Watch
If there is one team from the lower half of this top ten that could cause major trouble, it is Afghanistan. They sit in tenth with 221, but their spin attack is built for the conditions available across India and Sri Lanka.
On the right pitch, Rashid Khan and his supporting spinners become nearly impossible to score against. Several top-ranked teams will not want to face Afghanistan in the knockout rounds if they have to play on a turning surface.
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Conclusion: Rankings Prove India Reigns Supreme Now
India stands alone at the top of the T20I world and shows no signs of letting anyone else take that spot anytime soon. England, Australia, and South Africa are all pushing hard from below. But the real stories in this World Cup are at the bottom of the top ten, where Afghanistan and Sri Lanka have every chance to pull off something special and reshape the cricketing conversation for years to come.
