“I will formally hand over the Chokers card to New Zealand” - Dale Steyn predicts India to win T20 WC 2026

Former South African pacer and commentator Dale Steyn has predicted that it would be all but impossible for New Zealand to defeat India in the grand finale of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.

Speaking exclusively on AB de Villiers’ YouTube channel, Steyn added that it would require a monumental choke from India to lose the game against the Kiwis. He also asserted that he would be officially handing over the Chokers tag to New Zealand if they fail to win the final.

“Look, let’s be honest here. New Zealand…. everyone likes to call South Africa chokers, but I am going to say it. New Zealand haven’t won many World Cups themselves, and they have been in more finals than we have," Steyn told AB de Villiers on his YouTube channel. 

“So, no offence, New Zealand, but please go on to win this; otherwise, I am formally handing over that card to you; it’s yours. I love New Zealand, but they won’t beat India. It would require a monumental choke from India. I am calling it; it’s impossible. I really want them to win, but do I think they’ll beat India? No," he added.

On the other hand, AB de Villiers strolled down the memory lane to the 2015 ODI World Cup semi-final, saying he ‘hates’ New Zealand for beating South Africa because they were ‘never going’ to win the final against Australia, the hosts of the campaign. 

“I hate New Zealand for that. In 2015, they were never going to beat Australia in that final. And I mean, guys will hate me for saying this, but there was only one team that was going to beat Australia in Australia, and that was South Africa, alright. And now we find New Zealand in the final again, and they will play India in India. Lots of respect for New Zealand as a sporting reason. Both you and I are going to be killed, Dale, if they go on to win the T20 World Cup," AB de Villiers said.

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