Jason Gillespie, once humiliated by PCB, wants India to choke in T20 World Cup final
Published - 03 Feb 2026, 01:07 PM | Updated - 03 Feb 2026, 11:34 PM
Former Australia pacer Jason Gillespie has made a bold prediction ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to begin on Saturday, February 7. The former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie stated that India and South Africa should reach the final, where the Proteas would upstage the defending champions.
The World Cup, featuring 20 teams, will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. After the group stage, the tournament will move into the Super 8s and then the semifinals. India will enter the event as defending champions after beating South Africa in 2024. South Africa are still chasing their first white-ball World Cup title.
Jason Gillespie Predicts South Africa To Defeat India In T20 World Cup 2026 Final
Jason Gillespie believes South Africa will win their first World Cup title in 2026. Speaking on The Fast Bowling Cartel YouTube channel, he predicted that the 2024 runners-up would defeat India and lift the T20 World Cup trophy.
Gillespie’s former teammate Glenn McGrath also predicted an India–South Africa final. However, McGrath said that while a one-off final can always produce surprises, India are the stronger side to secure the victory.
Former Australia fast bowler Damien Fleming backed India to defend their T20 World Cup title. Fleming said that Abhishek Sharma could dominate with the bat. He also pointed out that India have spin resources and Jasprit Bumrah, who has the ability to take wickets both early in the innings and at the death.
"Abhishek Sharma might be the most dominant batsman of the tournament. And with the ball, they've got so many spin options. Plus they've got Bumrah, who can get wickets at the top and the backend," Fleming said.
India Eye Third Title in T20 World Cup
India have been placed in Group A of the T20 World Cup 2026 along with Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States of America. South Africa, meanwhile, will compete in Group D alongside New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Eights, followed by the semifinals and the final.
Since winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, India have not lost a bilateral T20I series. They also defeated Australia 2-1 away from home in a five-match series last year and lifted the Asia Cup 2025 under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav.
India will aim to claim a record third T20 World Cup title in 2026. They will begin their campaign against the USA on February 7. Australia, who are placed in Group B with Sri Lanka, Oman, and Zimbabwe, will open their tournament against Ireland on February 11.
Jason Gillespie Picks England and Sri Lanka Among T20 World Cup 2026 Semifinalists
Three former Australian fast bowlers have shared differing views on which teams will reach the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2026. Glenn McGrath backed India, South Africa, and England, while stating that the final semifinal spot could go to either Pakistan or New Zealand.
Damien Fleming, however, included Australia in his semifinal list. He picked India, South Africa, and England as the other three teams. Australia failed to reach the semifinals in the last two editions after winning the title in 2021.
Jason Gillespie also left Australia out of his top four. He chose India, South Africa, England, and Sri Lanka. Notably, India and England, along with the West Indies, remain the only teams to have won the T20 World Cup twice.
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Sai Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor and he has been working since September 2022. Sai Vaitla...
