The shortest format of the game is quite dynamic, forcing the need for new blood, especially keeping the two-year intervals of the T20 World Cup in mind. However, there is a set of players who have withstood the test of time, and managed to remain relevant to feature to this day, despite not even making their debut in the last decade.
2009 witnessed the second edition of the T20 World Cup after the early success of the inaugural edition in South Africa, two years before. At a time when teams were still figuring out a template, and cracking the T20 code, a lot of youngsters availed opportunities, as that was perceived to be the way to go, as opposed to overloading the team with seniors and experience.
While the majority of the players who featured in the memorable 2009 T20 World Cup have long retired, and are set to feature in the 2026 edition as broadcasters or coaches, there is a small set of players who will be a part of both tournaments as players.
On that note, let us take a look at three players part of the T20 World Cup 2026 who also played in 2009.
#1 Adil Rashid
The England spinner featured in the 2009 edition on home soil as a 21-year-old. He had a decent campaign, picking up three wickets in four matches at an average of 31.66 and an economy of 7.30. In fact, he made his T20I debut in the infamous tournament opener against the Netherlands at Lord’s, which resulted in a major upset.
Since then, Adil Rashid has been on the rise, developing into arguably the greatest white-ball spinner that the country has ever produced. He is still going strong, almost 17 years later, as he comes into the 2026 edition as England’s frontline spinner, as well as the No. 4-ranked batter in the world.
With 137 appearances from 2009 to this day, Rashid is the second-most capped England player in T20Is, placed only behind Jos Buttler. He also ranks eighth in terms of overall T20I appearances.
#2 Paul Stirling
The explosive Ireland opener also made his debut during the 2009 T20 World Cup campaign in England, but that was his only appearance in the tournament. However, with the team moving on from the likes of Niall O’Brien and William Porterfield, Stirling ascended to the top, before featuring as a regular in the setup.
Fast forward to today, he is the most-capped player in T20Is, amassing 161 appearances. He comes into the 2026 edition as a seasoned veteran at 35 years old, and as the captain of the Ireland Cricket Team. The fifth-highest run-scorer in T20Is, Stirling, will be hoping for a memorable campaign with an upset or two.
With 24 matches in T20 World Cup history, he has featured in the most matches for Ireland in the tournament, well-above the second-placed George Dockrell, who has 19 appearances to his name.
#3 Roelof van der Merwe
The veteran all-rounder is one of the few players to have featured in the T20 World Cup for different countries. In the 2009 edition, he featured as a 24-year-old for South Africa, having made his debut just a few months prior. The left-arm spinner had a stunning campaign with the ball, ending as the Proteas’ leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets in six matches at an average of 13.50 and an economy of 5.62.
After switching nations in 2015 after availing a Dutch passport, the all-rounder has featured regularly for the Netherlands, including ICC events. He played a significant role in each of the country’s last two campaigns in the form of the 2022 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Roelof van der Merwe now returns for the 2026 T20 World Cup as well, as one of the oldest players, having recently turned 41 years old.
Edited by Gokul Nair
