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Former Australia pacer Jason Gillespie has made a bold prediction ahead of the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup, which starts on Saturday, February 7. Former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie said India and South Africa should reach the final, with the Proteas snatching away the defending champions.
The World Cup is hosted by India and Sri Lanka and has a total of 20 teams participating. After the group stage, the competition will advance to the Super 8 and then the semi-finals. India will enter the tournament as defending champions in 2024 after beating South Africa. South Africa are still chasing their first white-ball World Cup title.
Jason Gillespie predicts South Africa to beat India in 2026 T20 World Cup final
Jason Gillespie believes South Africa will win the World Cup for the first time in 2026. Speaking on The Fast Bowling Cartel YouTube channel, he predicted that the runners-up will beat India in 2024 to lift the T20 World Cup trophy.
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Gillespie’s former teammate Glenn McGrath also predicted the India vs South Africa final. However, McGrath said that while one-off finals always bring surprises, India are the stronger side to emerge victorious.
Former Australia fast bowler Damian Fleming has backed India to defend their T20 World Cup title. Fleming said Abhishek Sharma can dominate the game with the bat. He also pointed out that India has spin resources and Jasprit Bumrah, who has the ability to take wickets early and late in the innings.
“Abhishek Sharma is probably the most dominant batsman in this tournament. With the ball, they have a lot of spin options. Also, they have Bumrah, who can get wickets over the top and at the back end,” Fleming said.
India clinches third title in T20 World Cup
India has been drawn in Group A of the 2026 T20 World Cup along with Pakistan, Namibia, Netherlands and the United States. South Africa, meanwhile, will compete in Group D along with New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.
The top two teams in each group will advance to the Super Eights, followed by the semi-finals and finals.
India has never lost a bilateral T20I series since winning the 2024 T20 World Cup. Last year, they also defeated Australia 2-1 away from home in the five-match series and lifted the 2025 Asia Cup title under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav.
India is targeting a record third T20 World Cup title in 2026. They will start against Team USA on February 7th. Australia are in Group B with Sri Lanka, Oman and Zimbabwe and will face Ireland on February 11.
Jason Gillespie picks England and Sri Lanka for 2026 T20 World Cup semi-finals
Three former Australian fast bowlers have different views on which teams will make it to the semi-finals of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Glenn McGrath has backed India, South Africa and England while suggesting the final semi-final spot could go to Pakistan or New Zealand.
However, Damian Fleming included Australia in his semi-final list. He picked India, South Africa and England as the other three teams. After Australia won the championship in 2021, it has failed to reach the semi-finals in the past two editions.
Jason Gillespie also left Australia out of the top four. He chose India, South Africa, England and Sri Lanka. It is worth noting that India, England and West Indies remain the only teams to have won the T20 World Cup twice.
