The Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has started, and former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has shared his predictions for the four semifinalists. The player-turned-commentator believes that defending champions India are certain to reach the knockout stage.
Dinesh Karthik’s semifinal picks
In a video on his Instagram, Karthik named his favorites from the two Super 8 groups. He selected India and South Africa from Group 1, and Sri Lanka and New Zealand from Group 2. He explained his decision to leave out strong teams like England and Pakistan.
“India. South Africa. From the other group, Sri Lanka. And I’d say New Zealand. I feel Pakistan’s batting is a bit weak. England is good, but they have been inconsistent so far,” Karthik said.
Karthik’s selections for India and South Africa are not surprising given their impressive performances in the tournament.
Team India, under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, has performed exceptionally well, topping Group A with four wins against the USA, Namibia, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. Their strong batting, highlighted by Ishan Kishan, and a diverse bowling lineup featuring Varun Chakravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah, makes them tough to beat on home soil.
South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, also finished the group stage without a loss, leading Group D with victories over Canada, Afghanistan, New Zealand, and the UAE. Their blend of powerful batting and effective bowling positions them as serious contenders for the title.
From the second group, Karthik’s choices reflect his analysis of team form and local conditions.
Sri Lanka, the co-hosts, have performed well, finishing second in Group B with three wins out of four matches. Their only loss was to Zimbabwe, while they secured wins against Ireland, Oman, and former champions Australia. Their familiarity with the pitches at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and Pallekele gives them a competitive advantage.
New Zealand has also been resilient, finishing second in Group D with three wins and one loss against South Africa. They started strong with wins over Afghanistan and the UAE, and bounced back from the loss to South Africa with a great win over Canada. Led by Mitchell Santner, the team has the experience and strategy to face the challenges in the Super 8.
Teams not picked by Karthik
Karthik’s predictions notably exclude England and Pakistan.
England, the 2022 T20 World Cup winners, have been described as “scratchy” by Karthik. Despite their powerful batting lineup, they have struggled with consistency in the group stage, raising doubts about their performance under pressure.
Karthik’s concerns about Pakistan stem from their batting issues. While led by Salman Ali Agha and boasting a strong bowling attack with mystery spinner Usman Tariq, their batting lineup has shown weaknesses that could be problematic in the Super 8s.
