Ashwin Picks Scotland’s Brandon McMullen as T20 World Cup 2026 Breakout Star
MUMBAI — The roadmap for the T20 World Cup 2026 just took a sharp turn. Following the shock withdrawal of Bangladesh, Scotland has stepped into the breach just days before the February 7 opener. While the Scots enter as underdogs, Indian spin maestro Ravichandran Ashwin isn’t sleeping on them—specifically one man: Brandon McMullen.
The “Classy” Threat in Scotland’s Arsenal
Speaking on his show Ash ki Baat, Ashwin dissected the new entrants with surgical precision. While he flagged concerns about a “restrictive” bowling attack that struggles to hunt wickets in clusters, his assessment of the batting lineup was glowing. He pointed to the leadership of Richie Berrington and the tone-setting ability of Matthew Cross, but his spotlight landed squarely on McMullen.
Ashwin’s praise stems from a specific memory: the 2024 T20 World Cup. In a high-pressure chase against Australia, McMullen didn’t just survive; he attacked. He blasted a 34-ball 60 against a top-tier Aussie attack, a knock that seemingly etched his name into Ashwin’s notebook.
“I’ve been keeping an eye on him,” Ashwin admitted. “Ever since that brilliant 50 against Australia, he’s been one of the key players. He’s a player to watch out for me.”
The numbers back the hype. Entering this tournament, McMullen carries a strike rate of nearly 146 in T20 Internationals, with seven half-centuries in just 23 outings. That isn’t just potential; that is production.
“I think Scotland are a good T20 team… They’ve got classy batters. Matthew Cross can really, really, really set the tone for them. Michael Jones is a classy player who plays really strong. He’s someone you can definitely expect classy strokes from.” — Ravichandran Ashwin, via ‘Ash ki Baat’
UAE: Power at the Top, Questions Below
Ashwin also turned his analytical lens toward the United Arab Emirates. The UAE squad benefits from the high-octane exposure of the ILT20, where local talent rubs shoulders with global superstars. However, Ashwin identified a top-heavy reliance on two specific names: Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu.
The verdict? UAE lacks firepower in the middle order and variety in the spin department. “They mostly have traditional spinners. They don’t have wrist spinners,” Ashwin noted. In a tournament likely to favor mystery spin and middle-over acceleration, these gaps could prove fatal against Full Member nations.
Tournament Implications
With Scotland replacing Bangladesh, Group dynamics shift dramatically. Bangladesh would have brought spin-friendly tactics suited for Asian conditions. Scotland brings a harder-hitting, pace-oriented approach. For fantasy managers and opposition analysts, McMullen is now a priority target. If he replicates his form against Australia, Scotland won’t just make up the numbers—they could ruin a few parties.
