Team Eliminated, Careers Nearing the End: Five Players Unlikely to Feature in the Next T20 World Cup

The 2026 ICC T20 World Cup has already witnessed 12 teams bowing out before the Super-8 stage. While team performances drew attention, several senior players also endured disappointing campaigns — raising serious questions about whether they will still be around for the 2028 edition.

Here is a look at five cricketers whose chances of playing the next T20 World Cup appear slim.

1. Glenn Maxwell – Australia

At 37, Glenn Maxwell is approaching the twilight of his international career. Once regarded as one of the most destructive T20 batters in the world, Maxwell struggled to make an impact in the 2026 tournament.

Since the previous T20 World Cup, he has managed just one half-century in international T20 cricket. His off-spin bowling, once a valuable secondary option, has also lacked penetration in recent outings. With Australia rebuilding and younger all-rounders emerging, Maxwell’s path to the 2028 squad looks increasingly uncertain.

2. Roelof van der Merwe – Netherlands

One of the oldest players in the 2026 tournament, Roelof van der Merwe endured a difficult campaign. In four matches, he scored only 14 runs and picked up just one wicket.

For a player selected primarily for experience and balance, those returns were underwhelming. Given his age and the Netherlands’ focus on youth development, his T20I career appears to be nearing its conclusion.

3. Jatinder Singh – Oman

Oman captain Jatinder Singh had a modest tournament, scoring 7, 1, 5, and 17 in four outings. His overall T20 International strike rate of around 120 has often been viewed as below par in modern T20 cricket, where aggressive powerplay batting is crucial.

With Oman aiming to evolve their white-ball approach, a leadership transition could be on the horizon before the 2028 event.

4. Paul Stirling – Ireland

Ireland captain Paul Stirling has been a stalwart of their batting lineup for over a decade. However, his recent form has been concerning. He has not registered a T20I half-century since 2025 and suffered an injury midway through the 2026 World Cup.

With age and fitness becoming factors, Ireland may look to groom new top-order options, potentially signaling the end of Stirling’s T20 World Cup journey.

5. Mohammad Nabi – Afghanistan

At 41, Mohammad Nabi remains one of Afghanistan’s most respected cricketers. While he delivered a standout four-wicket haul against Canada, he failed to leave a consistent mark in other matches.

Given his age, it is difficult to envision Nabi featuring in another T20 World Cup two years from now. Afghanistan’s transition toward younger all-rounders may accelerate in the coming cycle.

A Generational Shift Ahead

T20 cricket evolves rapidly, demanding athleticism, power-hitting, and dynamic fielding. With 2028 approaching, several teams are expected to begin rebuilding phases centered around youth and long-term planning.

For these five veterans, the 2026 tournament may well represent their final appearance on the global T20 stage — a reminder that in modern cricket, change is inevitable and swift.