Canada Cricket has signaled a bold new era by naming 22-year-old sensation Dilpreet Bajwa as captain for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup. Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the tournament will see Bajwa lead a 15-man squad that blends youthful aggression with the steady hand of seasoned veterans.
Bajwa, who celebrates his 23rd birthday later this month, takes the reins despite his relatively short international career of nine ODIs and 17 T20Is. However, his impact on the field has been undeniable. With a T20I strike rate of 133.22 and four half-centuries already to his name, he has proven to be a cornerstone of the Canadian top order. His recent form in the domestic Super 60 T10 tournament—highlighted by a blistering 57 off just 18 balls—suggests he is ready to lead from the front with the bat.
Explosive Batting and Experienced Core Define the Squad
The Canadian selection committee has prioritized firepower, and nowhere is that more evident than in the inclusion of opening batter Yuvraj Samra. Known for his massive hitting, Samra boasts a career strike rate of 160.72 and has cleared the boundary 27 times in just 15 innings. This aggressive opening pair is expected to set the tone for Canada during the powerplay overs.
To balance this youth, the squad retains a strong backbone of experience. Former captain Saad Bin Zafar remains a vital part of the bowling attack, alongside established names like Kaleem Sana, Dilon Heyliger, Nicholas Kirton, and the reliable Navneet Dhaliwal. This core group was instrumental in Canada’s successful 2024 campaign and will be tasked with navigating the high-pressure environment of a World Cup in the subcontinent.
Canada’s Path Through Group D in India
Canada finds itself in a challenging Group D, where they will face off against South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and the UAE. Their journey begins on February 9 in Ahmedabad, with a high-stakes opener against South Africa. Notably, all of Canada’s group-stage matches are scheduled to take place across various venues in India, providing a massive stage for the North American side.
This marks Canada’s second consecutive T20 World Cup appearance. After securing a historic win over Ireland in 2024, the team earned their spot in the 2026 edition through a dominant performance in the Americas Regional Final, where they finished the tournament unbeaten with six straight victories.
Canada Squad: Dilpreet Bajwa (capt), Ajayveer Hundal, Ansh Patel, Dilon Heyliger, Harsh Thaker, Jaskarandeep Buttar, Kaleem Sana, Kanwarpal Tathgur, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Ravinderpal Singh, Saad Bin Zafar, Shivam Sharma, Shreyas Movva, Yuvraj Samra.
