Canada arrive with new captain, old questions

Snapshot

Canada will enter their second consecutive World Cup with a new captain at the helm, appointing Dilpreet Singh Bajwa as leader ahead of the global tournament. At just 23, Bajwa's ascent to the captaincy has been rapid, capping a rise that has unfolded barely two years after his international debut. The timing of the appointment has prompted questions in and around Canada, which continues to operate under a cloud of scrutiny amid ongoing allegations of governance and corruption within Cricket Canada. Bajwa takes over following the removal of former captain Nicholas Kirton, who lost the role after an illegal substance was discovered in his baggage at Barbados airport earlier this year.

Canada head into the tournament after a four-month absence from international cricket, having last played an official match in September 2025. Drawn against heavyweights such as South Africa and New Zealand, their return to the world stage presents a formidable challenge as they seek to navigate both competitive and administrative turbulence.

The squad, and what it tells us

Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Navneet Dhaliwal, Shreyas Movva (wk), Ravinderpal Singh, Yuvraj Samra, Kanwarpal Tathgur, Ajayveer Hundal, Nicholas Kirton, Saad Bin Zafar, Shivam Sharma, Harsh Thaker, Dillon Heyliger, Jaskaran Singh, Kaleem Sana, Ansh Patel

Beyond the surprise timing of the captaincy change, Canada's squad selection for the World Cup has also drawn scrutiny. The inclusion of 37-year-old Ravinderpal Singh, whose form has fluctuated in recent seasons, ahead of former Punjab batter Pargat Singh, one of Canada's most consistent performers has raised questions. Similarly, the selection of Ajayveer Hundal over promising young left-arm pacer Rishiv Joshi has been met with a lot of discontent in Canadian cricket circles.

At the top of the order, Canada are expected to place considerable responsibility on Bajwa, who is likely to partner the experienced Navneet Dhaliwal in what shapes as a stable opening combination. The middle order features proven performers Harsh Thaker, Nicholas Kirton, and wicketkeeper-batter Shreyas Movva.

With the ball, expectations will rest heavily on former captain Saad Bin Zafar, whose left-arm spin has been notably economical in T20 internationals. He will be complemented by 23-year-old chinaman Ansh Patel, a former Punjab Kings auction pick who later moved to Canada but is yet to make his mark in international cricket. The new-ball responsibilities are set to be shared by fast bowlers Kaleem Sana and Jaskaran Singh Buttar, both part of their respective Pakistan and India U19 set ups growing up.

The road to the World Cup

Canada managed to beat Ireland by 12 runs and gave themselves a sniff against Pakistan before bowing out of the 2024 T20 World Cup but they haven't had much to write home about since then. Amidst the captaincy churn that shifted from Zafar to Kirton to Bajwa, Canada lost seven and won only five against top associates while the board failed to secure even one series against a full member nation in the past couple of years despite a reasonable showing in the past World Cup.

The way they play

Many of Canada's players have benefited from the exposure gained through franchise competitions such as GT20 Canada, which has consistently attracted international-calibre talent and provided domestic players with regular high-intensity match experience. That platform has helped shape the confidence and adaptability now visible within the squad.

There is evident flair in the batting of captain Dilpreet Singh Bajwa, while Nicholas Kirton has emerged as an enterprising presence, capable of scoring with a full 360-degree range. Conditions in the subcontinent could further narrow the gap between Canada and their more fancied opponents.

Who can bend a match in 10 balls

Dillon Heyliger adds an X-factor to Canada's line-up, offering extra pace that may not overwhelm full-member batters but is capable of keeping them honest, while his ability to contribute with aggressive lower-order hitting provides valuable momentum late in the innings.

Scheduling

Giant killing potential

South Africa have, in past tournaments, shown a tendency to drop the occasional match against lower-ranked opposition, and Canada may view them as their most realistic opportunity to force an upset. Matches in Ahmedabad are expected to be played on high-scoring surfaces, and a competitive total could allow Canada to apply scoreboard pressure.

In such conditions, Canada's varied bowling resources may come into play, particularly the lesser-known mystery spin of Ansh Patel, which could present an unfamiliar challenge. If Canada are able to put runs on the board, sustained pressure rather than outright penetration may be key to keeping South Africa under control on the day.

What a good World Cup looks like

Canada will be seeking a measure of consistency in their game as they enter their second consecutive ICC Men's T20 World Cup. A place in the Super Eights will effectively secure qualification for the next edition but remains an ambitious target. With the United States continuing their upward trajectory and given that only one team is set to emerge from the regional Americas qualification pathway, opportunities for Canada could become increasingly limited in the future. In light of that, the tournament carries added significance for Canada's players, offering a rare platform to establish themselves on the global stage.