Ashwin makes bold call on England’s opening pair for T20 World Cup 2026

Ravichandran_Ashwin
Ravichandran_Ashwin (PC: ICC/X)

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that Jos Buttler and Phil Salt will form a deadly opening combination for England in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

“From my side, I would love to see Phil Salt and Jos Buttler open for England because Buttler has huge experience in Asian conditions, and Salt is at the peak of his powers,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

England are in good form in T20Is, having recently whitewashed Sri Lanka 3–0 at home. In the first two matches of that series, Buttler and Salt opened the innings. Both have vast experience of playing in India. Buttler has featured in 22 T20I matches in India, scoring 572 runs in 20 innings at an average of 38.13, including four fifties. The 35-year-old has also been one of the most consistent performers in the IPL, amassing 4,120 runs in 121 matches at an average of 40 across 10 seasons.

Meanwhile, Salt has played key roles in Kolkata Knight Riders’ and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title wins over the last two years by providing aggressive starts at the top of the order.

Ashwin added: “England are coming into the T20 World Cup after whitewashing Sri Lanka 3–0 in the three-match T20I series at home. England dominate the powerplay with the bat. The opening combination of Phil Salt and Jos Buttler needs some discussion because, at times, they have tried Duckett with Salt.”

The Harry Brook-led England team will begin their campaign against Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 8.

 

Also read- T20 World Cup 2026: “He can be Player of the Tournament” – Ponting backs Abhishek Sharma

 

The post Ashwin makes bold call on England’s opening pair for T20 World Cup 2026 appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.



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