The T20 World Cup 2026 is marching towards the business end at a fast pace, and now Mohammed Shami has added more fire with his bold views on India’s ideal final opponent.
Mohammed Shami wants India to face South Africa in T20 World Cup 2026 Final
Mohammed Shami said that if India reached the final, South Africa would be the most exciting team to face. The seasoned pacer has noted that another big clash between India and South Africa would make the 2026 T20 World Cup final even more thrilling for fans.
They have faced each other in the T20 World Cup final in 2024, where the Men in Blue crushed the Proteas side by 7 runs to lift the trophy after more than a decade.
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Mohammad Shami said at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit: “If we see India, South Africa will be better again to face. So, I think it will be more interesting.”
It was not our day: Shami on India’s loss to South Africa
Recently, India recently faced South Africa in the Super 8 match of the ongoing tournament, and they suffered a crushing defeat in Ahmedabad. However, Shami defended the side by saying sometimes one bad day changes everything, and that was not defending champions’ day.
Shami explained, “See, it’s a T20 game; it doesn’t give you much time to think. It’s a fast-forward game. So according to me, you can do a little bit on the day. And I say, yes, performance, your plans, not executing, all these things count there.
But the T20 format is such a format that the day you feel it is your day. So according to me, that day was not India’s. So, we can take it this way. We have beaten them on most occasions. So that’s why I would like South Africa to be in the final.”
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Mohammed Shami backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for 2027 World Cup
Meanwhile, Shami also backed the Indian batting stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the ICC World Cup 2027. The Bengal pacer pointed out Kohli and Rohit’s experience and records and stressed that players of that level deserve another chance to represent India on the biggest stage.
Shami said at the same event during the discussion, “If you have such a team with so many records, then I think they should be in the team. They deserve another chance to serve India, and hopefully, we can win the 2027 World Cup.”
🚨 Mohd. Shami wants Rohit and Virat to play 2027 WC
If you have a unit that has delivered consistently and created so many records, that kind of caliber cannot be ignored. They deserve another chance to serve India and help us win the WC ….See more
— Rohan💫 (@rohann__45) February 28, 2026
Playing for India remains Shami’s biggest motivation
Speaking about himself, the 35-year-old is still thinking like a young cricketer who is hungry to prove himself. He has seen injuries and gone through ups and downs, but none of that has changed his mindset. Shami believes that if a player has talent, he should never waste it.
As long as there is strength left in the body, he feels a player must keep giving his best. He stressed that playing for India is the biggest honor and wants to make sure that when his career ends, he has no regrets. He does not want to feel that he could have done more, so he gives 100 percent every single time.
