India’s defeat against South Africa has changed many equations in the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup 2026. Stats are indicating that the defending champions can take an early exit from the title race, before qualifying for the Semi-finals. But former Australia captain Michael Clarke believes Team India can still find their way into the semis.
During a recent conversation, Clarke described Team India as his favourite in the ongoing T20 World Cup. He called the Men in Blue the best in the world, in this format as well. The former cricketer is putting a bet on the Suryakumar Yadav-led team as the team will be performing on their home soil, which can multiply their winning possibilities.
India is the best T20I team in the World: Michael Clarke
“For South Africa to beat the favorites in their own backyard—wow! That’s a huge game for them and a huge victory. Now the pressure is on this Indian team, which is going to be great to see”, Michael Clarke said on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.
Your daily dose of cricket!
“To me, they’re still the best team; they’re the best T20 team in the world playing in conditions they know so well. So, I’m still backing them to make the final, but things change now after losing that game to South Africa,” He further added.
India’s next Super 8 match will be against Zimbabwe on February 26 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Showing no disrespect to Zimbabwe, the Aussie is expecting India’s smooth win over Zimbabwe.
“You definitely expect them to beat Zimbabwe—and again, no disrespect to Zimbabwe, they deserve to be in the Super 8—but I expect India to beat them comfortably”, he said.
Clarke predicted India’s easy win over Zimbabwe
After the conclusion of the Zimbabwe clash, the Men in Blue will be preparing to confront the West Indies. The Carribbeans are in stunning form from the beginning of the tournament. Clarke is expecting to see a fiery exchange on March 1 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, when India will be up against the West Indies, the former T20 World Cup champions.
“The one that’s going to be an absolute beauty is against the West Indies. The West Indies are playing their best cricket at the moment. They are strutting. They have a brilliant team, and they believe in themselves. I think that game could be the one that dictates what second team qualifies from that group,
Michael Clarke also stated that if India crashed out of the race, it would be a shocker for the Indian cricket fans. The former cricketer does not want to eliminate so early from the equation, as there are still possibilities to witness some wonders.
Michael Clarke still has faith in Team India
“If India doesn’t qualify… You’d be absolutely fuming if you were an Indian cricket fan, and you would be surprised. They’re brilliant at T20 cricket; they’re currently the best team in the world, and they’re playing in conditions they know so well. It would be huge if India didn’t qualify. I would not—you’d be stupid to—write India off, not only to qualify but also to be in that final”, Michael Clarke opined.
Read More: Anil Kumble challenges India’s intent, points to West Indies as the benchmark