Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn believes it will be extremely difficult for New Zealand to beat India in the T20 World Cup final on Sunday.
Dale Steyn's prediction for T20 World Cup winner
Speaking ahead of the match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Steyn said it would take a “monumental choke” from India for the Kiwis to pull off a win. He even joked that if New Zealand do manage to win, he’d happily hand over the “chokers” tag that South Africa is often given.
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“Let’s be honest here. New Zealand… everyone likes to call South Africa chokers, but I am going to say it. New Zealand haven’t won many World Cups themselves, and they have been in more finals than we have,” Steyn told AB de Villiers on his YouTube channel.
He added, “No offence, New Zealand, but please go on to win this; otherwise, I am formally handing over that card to you; it’s yours. I love New Zealand, but they won’t beat India. It would require a monumental choke from India. I am calling it; it’s impossible. I really want them to win, but do I think they’ll beat India? No.”
New Zealand won how many ICC finals?
Interestingly, New Zealand’s only two ICC final wins are the 2000 Knockout Trophy (now called the Champions Trophy) and the 2021 inaugural World Test Championship Final, which came against India. So, while history does show a few victories, Steyn feels India remain favorites for the summit clash.
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New Zealand's plan for T20 World Cup final
Coming back to the final, New Zealand's Glenn Phillips reckons that Jasprit Bumrah is a world-class operator, but he can also have an off-day, and that is something the BlackCaps would be praying for when it locks horns with India in the T20 World Cup final.
Bumrah is India's pick of the bowlers in the T20 World Cup 2026 against Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies and England in the semifinal.
"Bumrah is a fantastic bowler. He's got so many variations. He hits the blockhole at the death incredibly well. You know, and he's human as well. He is allowed to have a bad day, as are the rest of us. So hopefully we have a good day against him," Phillips said, full of praise for the Indian maestro but also had a note of warning for the hosts.