How the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finalists compare ahead of the big clashes
South Africa will face New Zealand in Kolkata on Wednesday and defending champions India will face England in Mumbai the following day.
AFP Sport evaluates the four contenders vying for the cup:
SOUTH AFRICA
Aiden Markram’s South Africa are the only unbeaten team in the tournament and are brimming with confidence as they push for a first World Cup after years of being labeled “nervs” at the sharp end of tournaments.
South Africa, runners-up two years ago, have won seven out of seven matches, including Super Eight wins over India and the West Indies.
strengths
The team, led by Markram, who has amassed 268 runs in seven matches, has a strong batting line-up with Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickleton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs managing to hit boundaries.
Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi took 12 wickets and surprised some of the best with his deceptively slow cutter stroke, while Keshav Maharaj has the ability to hook the batsmen with his left-arm spin.
Weaknesses
If anything, these appear to be psychological, mental scars from decades of not being able to shoot at the sharp end of World Cups.
A five-time 50-over World Cup semi-finalist and twice in the T20 version, they reached the final of the T20 World Cup for the first time in 2024, but failed again.
With six wickets in hand, they needed 26 for four and lost by seven runs against India. Last year’s World Test Championship final win may have gone a long way in erasing those demons – eight of the T20 squad were in that side.
Best in T20 World Cup: Second place (2024)
NEW ZEALAND
They lost to England in the Super Eights and reached the semi-finals with a better net run rate than Pakistan.
They lost to South Africa in the group stage in Ahmedabad but will look to turn things around in Kolkata.
strengths
All-round talent including skipper and leading spinner Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra.
From Lockie Ferguson’s pace to Ish Sodhi’s leg spin, Santner has plenty of bowling variations at his disposal.
Opener Tim Seifert often provides an explosive start in the powerplay and they are very sharp in the field.
Weaknesses
The other three semi-finalists do not have game-breaking, match-winning individuals.
They are the only team in the last four to have lost two matches against South Africa and England. The only Test playing nations they beat in seven matches were Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
Best in T20 World Cup: Second place (2021)
ENGLAND
Harry Brook’s England had some tough wins in the group stage, including dominating a last-ball thriller against Nepal, but managed to gain ground in the Super Eights by beating joint hosts Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand.
strengths
Brook showed his leadership by moving to third over against Pakistan and scoring a match-winning century. In his first World Cup as captain, he is becoming an astute tactician.
All-rounder Will Jacks has won four player of the match awards in seven matches so far and can be devastating with the bat. Jofra Archer, who was expensive in the first two matches, is back to his best.
Weaknesses
Opener Jos Buttler is in a slump of form with 62 runs in seven matches. He hasn’t made a T20 fifty since September last year and appears to be lacking in confidence, but England are unlikely to abandon their former skipper.
Best of T20 World Cup: Champions: 2010, 2022
INDIA
The reigning champions were finally at their best in their time of need with victories over Zimbabwe and the West Indies in the Super Eights.
Suryakumar Yadav’s team was less convincing in the group stage despite starting the tournament as favourites.
In their opening match against the USA, they were 77-6 ahead and lacking consistency before Suryakumar’s 84 saved them.
strengths
Sanju Samson added muscle and poise at the top of the order by disrupting the opposition’s bowling rhythm by disrupting the all-left-hand combination of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan.
Jasprit Bumrah has once again proven himself to be one of the best pacers in the industry and the spin attack is led by top-order T20 bowler Varun Chakravarthy, who has 12 sacrifices.
Home support in a 35,000-seat Wankhede stadium can be like having a 12th man on the field.
Weaknesses
Abhishek came into the tournament as the world’s number one T20 batsman and went on to score three ducks in a row.
His fifty against Zimbabwe was a showcase of his ability but he fell for 10 against the West Indies and England will target him for an early wicket.
Best of T20 World Cup: Winners (2007, 2024)
