Not Virat Kohli! England captain Harry Brook picks the best white ball player ever

If England advances to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2026a fascinating subplot has emerged involving the team’s leadership and its most decorated veteran. Although the ‘Three Lions’ looked unstoppable in their Super 8 campaign, their superstar is currently undergoing a rare and painful dip in form. Despite a string of low scores that have sparked debate in the global media, Capt Harry Brook has refused to have any conversations about dropping the veteran.

In a move that defines his captaincy, Brook used the post-match platform after England’s thriller against New Zealand to issue a provocative statement of support. By looking past modern icons, such as Virat Kohlihas placed Brook Buttler on a pedestal above all others in the history of the shorter formats.

Not Virat Kohli: Harry Brook names the best white-ball player to ever play the game

In a bold claim that has reverberated through the cricket world, Brook has officially labeled it As Butler as the ‘best white-ball player to ever play the game.’ The approval comes at a time when Buttler’s statistics in the ongoing tournament are unusually grim; the veteran has managed just 62 runs in seven matches at a dismal average of 8.85 and a strike rate of 106. Brook, however, dismissed mounting criticism surrounding Buttler’s place in the XI and urged fans and pundits to look at the bigger picture of his illustrious 150-match international career rather than a temporary ‘rut’.

“He has played 150 games for England and people need to take a step back. He is probably the best white-ball player to ever play the game. He is in a rut but it will be exciting to see what he can produce in the next few games. We know his class and a big performance is around the corner.” said Brook.

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2026 T20 World Cup semi-final reached: England thrive despite legend’s struggles

As Buttler searches for his rhythm, the rest of the England squad stepped up to ensure their semi-final place was secured with a dramatic four-wicket win over New Zealand on Friday. The chase of 160 looked in jeopardy when the Kiwis reduced England to 117/6 in the 17th over, but late-inning fireworks from Will Jacks And Rehan Ahmed saw them cross the finish line with three balls left.

This victory not only confirmed England’s dominance in Group 2, but also left New Zealand’s fate hanging in the balance, entirely dependent on the outcome of the match. Pakistan vs Sri Lanka collision in Pallekele. With England already through, the pressure is now on Pakistan, who must beat Sri Lanka by a huge margin of 64 runs or chase down their target in 13.1 overs to surpass the Kiwis on Net Run Rate and clinch the final semi-final spot.

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