Sunil Gavaskar Picks South Africa and England as T20 World Cup Favorites
Gavaskar's Favorites for T20 World Cup 2026
Cricketing icon Sunil Gavaskar has identified South Africa and England as the top contenders for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, placing them ahead of India. The former Indian captain commended England for their adaptability in both batting and bowling, while also acknowledging South Africa's impressive performance in the tournament thus far.
Both teams have successfully secured their spots in the semifinals from their respective Super 8 groups. South Africa achieved significant victories, defeating India by 76 runs and the West Indies by nine wickets to advance from Group 1. England progressed from Group 2 after overcoming Sri Lanka by 51 runs and narrowly beating Pakistan by two wickets.
Analysis of England and South Africa
In a discussion on a prominent news channel, Gavaskar advised against overanalyzing England's batting struggles against Pakistan in Pallekele. He pointed out that contemporary batting often emphasizes finishing matches with powerful shots, which can lead to nail-biting finishes. "England may have had a tight win, but that reflects the current trend of aiming to conclude games with a six," Gavaskar remarked.
He further elaborated on England's strengths, stating, "Their bowling attack is well-rounded, capable of both spin and pace. They possess a robust bowling lineup and a deep batting order. Therefore, I believe England and South Africa are the teams to keep an eye on."
Upcoming Matches
South Africa is set to play against Zimbabwe in their final Super 8 match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on March 1. Meanwhile, England will face New Zealand in Colombo on February 27.
In Group C, England finished second with six points from four matches, achieving three wins and one loss. Their sole defeat was against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. They also narrowly escaped a loss against Nepal, winning by just four runs, before securing victories over Scotland and Italy to reach the Super 8 stage.
South Africa dominated Group D, winning all four of their matches. They triumphed over Canada by 57 runs in Ahmedabad, survived a thrilling second Super Over against Afghanistan at the same venue, defeated New Zealand by seven wickets, and clinched a six-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates in Delhi.