As the world prepares for the T20 World Cup 2026 to kick off on February 7, former Indian pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji has shared a high-stakes roadmap for the tournament. Speaking in a recent analysis on Star Sports, Balaji leaned on subcontinental conditions to predict which teams will rise to the occasion in India and Sri Lanka.
His insights go beyond mere statistics, focusing on the tactical and mental shifts required to dominate a home-soil World Cup. With the memories of recent global finals still fresh, Balaji’s projections have set a definitive tone for the upcoming competition. He specifically identified a quartet of teams that he believes will navigate the grueling group stages to reach the business end of the tournament.
Lakshmipathy Balaji’s top four contenders for the T20 World Cup 2026
Balaji’s selection for the semi-finals is rooted in the strategic advantage held by teams familiar with the slow, turning tracks of the host nations. He predicts that both India and Sri Lanka will leverage their home-ground knowledge to secure knockout berths, alongside two of the most consistent outfits in T20 history. While he views Afghanistan as a serious fringe contender capable of an upset, his primary bracket consists of the traditional powerhouses. He emphasized that the growth of South Africa over the last few years makes them an undeniable threat in any condition.
“Of course, if you look at the Top 4, I know that South Africa has done a superb job over the period of time in the last few years. Sri Lanka is also playing well. Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. Between them, they have a chance to qualify.” Balaji said.
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Balaji picks the finalist of T20 World Cup 2026
In a bold prediction that has caught the attention of fans across the globe, Balaji has called for a repeat of the 2023 ODI World Cup summit clash. He envisions India and Australia meeting once again for the trophy, citing their status as extraordinary teams that thrive on the grandest stages. Despite their combined success in the format, including India’s titles in 2007 and 2024, and Australia’s 2021 victory, the two giants have never faced off in a T20 World Cup final. Balaji believes the 2026 edition will finally rectify this, offering India a chance to settle the score from the Ahmedabad heartbreak.
“Bala, give us your picks Top 2 or Top 4? I think it’s going to be India-Australia finals again in 2023 [referring to the 2023 ODI WC match-up]. And I think it will be a repeat of the Ahmedabad finals. It’s a kind of big match. Two teams that play occasionally. Both are extraordinary teams.” Balaji concluded.
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