The T20 World Cup 2026 is fast approaching its end, and now Mohammed Shami has added more fire to the mix with his bold thoughts on India’s ideal final opponent.
Mohammed Shami wants India to face South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026 final
Mohammed Shami said that if India reaches the finals, it will be the most exciting team to face South Africa. The veteran fast bowler has said that another big clash between India and South Africa will make the 2026 T20 World Cup final even more exciting for the fans.
They have faced each other in the T20 World Cup final in 2024, where the Men in Blue defeated the Proteas by 7 runs to win the trophy after more than a decade.
Also read: J&K CM insults Ranji Trophy champions with IPL base-price reward
“If we look at India, it would be better to face South Africa once again. So, I think it will be more interesting,” Mohammed Shami said at the News18 Rising India Summit.
Shami said on India’s defeat to South Africa, it was not our day
Recently, India faced South Africa in the Super 8 match of the ongoing tournament in Ahmedabad and had to face a crushing defeat. However, Shami defended the team by saying that sometimes a bad day changes everything, and that was not the defending champions’ day.
“Look, it’s a T20 game; it doesn’t give you much time to think. It’s a fast-paced game. So according to me, you can do a little bit of everything on that day. And I say, yes, performance, your plans, not execution, all these things matter there,” Shami said.
But T20 format is such a format that the day you feel is your day. So according to me that day was not India’s. So, we can take it this way. We have defeated them on most occasions. So I would like South Africa to reach the final.”
Also read: Before the T20 World Cup match, Darren Sammy gave open threat to Gautam Gambhir’s Team India.
Mohammed Shami backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for 2027 World Cup
Meanwhile, Shami also backed Indian batting stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the ICC World Cup 2027. The Bengal pacer pointed to the experience and records of Kohli and Rohit and stressed that players of that caliber deserve another chance to represent India on the biggest stage.
“If you have such a team with so many records, I think they should be in the team. They deserve another chance to serve India and hopefully we can win the 2027 World Cup,” Shami said during a discussion at the same event.
Mo. Shami wants Rohit and Virat to play 2027 World Cup
If you have a unit that has performed well consistently and created so many records, that kind of potential cannot be ignored. They deserve another chance to serve India and help us win the World Cup…See More
– Rohan (@rohann__45) 28 February 2026
Playing for India remains Shami’s biggest motivation
Talking about himself, the 35-year-old is still thinking like a young cricketer who is hungry to prove himself. He has seen injuries and ups and downs, but that has not changed his mentality. Shami believes that if a player has talent then it should never be wasted.
He believes that as long as there is strength left in the body, the player should continue to perform at his best. He stressed that playing for India is the biggest honor and he wants to ensure that he has no regrets when his career ends. He doesn’t want to feel like he could have done more, so he gives 100 percent every time.
