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With the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 now underway, former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has made his predictions for the four semifinalists. The cricketer-turned-commentator, known for his sharp tactical acumen, named defending champions India as one of the teams most likely to progress to the knockout phase.
Dinesh Karthik’s choice of semifinalists: The four picks
Speaking in a video shared on his official Instagram handle, Karthik revealed his selections from the two Super 8 groups. From Group 1, he picked India and South Africa. From Group 2, he chose Sri Lanka and New Zealand, explaining his rationale for overlooking strong contenders England and Pakistan .
“India. South Africa. The other group, Sri Lanka. And I’d say New Zealand. I feel Pakistan batting is a bit vulnerable. England are good, but they have been scratchy so far. So I have my reasons why I feel England might struggle,” Karthik stated.
Karthik’s first two selections are perhaps the least surprising, given the dominant form both teams have displayed in the tournament thus far.
India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, have been imperious in the group stage. The Men in Blue topped Group A with a perfect record, securing four comprehensive victories against the USA, Namibia, arch-rivals Pakistan, and the Netherlands . Their batting depth, led by the in-form Ishan Kishan, and a varied bowling attack featuring Varun Chakravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah make them formidable opponents on home soil.
South Africa, under Aiden Markram, have been equally dominant. The Proteas also finished the group stage unbeaten, topping Group D with four wins against Canada, Afghanistan, New Zealand and the UAE . Their balanced unit, combining explosive batting and incisive bowling, makes them strong contenders to replicate their 2024 final appearance.
Karthik’s choices from the second group reflect his assessment of current form and familiarity with conditions.
The co-hosts Sri Lanka have enjoyed a fabulous campaign, finishing second in Group B with three wins from four matches. Their only defeat came against a resurgent Zimbabwe side, while they registered impressive victories over Ireland, Oman, and most notably – former champions Australia . The familiarity with home conditions at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and Pallekele gives Dasun Shanaka’s side a significant edge.
New Zealand, despite being placed in the same group as South Africa, have shown tremendous resilience. The Blackcaps finished second in Group D with three wins and just one defeat – that loss coming against the Proteas themselves. They began their campaign with victories over Afghanistan and the UAE before bouncing back from the South Africa setback with a brilliant win over Canada. Mitchell Santner’s team possesses the tournament experience and tactical flexibility to navigate the Super 8 challenges.
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The contenders left out by Karthik
Perhaps the most notable aspect of Karthik’s predictions is the omission of two cricketing heavyweights: England and Pakistan.
England, the 2022 T20 World Cup champions, have been “scratchy” according to Karthik. Despite possessing a power-packed batting lineup, Harry Brook’s side has looked inconsistent in the group stage, raising questions about their ability to fire collectively under pressure.
Pakistan’s exclusion stems from batting vulnerabilities that Karthik identified. While the Salman Ali Agha-led side possesses a potent bowling attack featuring mystery spinner Usman Tariq, their batting order has shown fragility – a concern that could be exploited on Sri Lankan surfaces during the Super 8s.
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