Not India! Kevin Pietersen’s ex-teammate claims South Africa were best team at T20 WC 2026

India completely outplayed New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The Men in Blue won their third T20 World Cup trophy by defeating the Kiwis by 96 runs in the final. It was an one sided affair in the final when the home side scored 255/5 and bundled the Black Caps out for 159.

The Men in Blue created three milestones after winning their third silverware. They became the first side to win three ICC T20 World Cups. Next, Suryakumar Yadav’s side became the first team to win the trophy in two back-to-back editions of the tournament and finally also the nation to win the competition at home.

South Africa were the best team- Steve Harmison

However, a former England pacer, Steve Harmison, believes that India were not the best side in the tournament. The pacer named South Africa as the best side of the competition. Talking on the talkSPORT Cricket YouTube channel, Harmison explained his logic.

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Harmison said, "The Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson partnership largely won the final for India. Bumrah was the difference in the overall tournament on flat tracks. I don't think India were the best team in this tournament. South Africa were the best team. India were the best 'moment' team. They won the best moments."

I don't think they were that convincing- Steve Harmison

"I don't think they were that convincing in the group stages. After that, they won the moments. They had trouble against the West Indies in a quarter-final. India found a way to win when not playing well because of their big-moment players."

"But South Africa were the more consistent team in the tournament, apart from that one game where Finn Allen just had a day out. Handling pressure in big moments and delivering, India did it better than anyone else."

India did have a start-stop kind of a tournament. In the very first game, they were nearly beaten by the USA; however, a Suryakumar Yadav masterclass saved the side. But the Men in Blue’s winning streak was finally broken in the first Super 8 game against South Africa, which acted as a wake-up call for the team.

After that match, the champion side never turned back and won every single game one-sided. Though they had problems in their bowling, it also clicked in the final, and New Zealand had no answers to it.

Not only do they [India] have one of the best teams- Steve Harmison

Steve Harmison also took a swipe after being asked if the India National Cricket Team will continue to dominate the white-ball format in the coming years, as the Men in Blue have won every ICC white-ball tournament since their 2023 ODI World Cup loss to Australia.

Harmison said, "They will keep dominating if they keep having it in India as well. Not only do they have one of the best teams and talent pools in the world, they actually have it in their own back garden. So there is not much not going for India at this stage with the BCCI being as powerful, if not more powerful, than the ICC."

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