Overview:
If South Africa had lost to the West Indies, there was a chance of them getting eliminated from the Super 8 stage, as a clash against Zimbabwe would have become a must-win contest.
Former England player Michael Vaughan has called South Africa the most stupid team in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 and claimed that it was the Proteas’ mistake that allowed India to clinch the T20 World Cup trophy at home. According to him, if South Africa had lost to the West Indies in the Super 8 stage, then India would have been eliminated.
India lost to South Africa by 76 runs in the second round but made it to the semi-finals after thumping Zimbabwe and the West Indies. With South Africa beating the Windies, the qualifying situation became straightforward for the Men in Blue.
New Zealand got past South Africa’s challenge in the first semi-final while India registered a 7-run win over England in the second knockout game.
“South Africa were the stupidest team in the tournament. If South Africa had allowed the West Indies to beat them in the Super 8 stage, India would have been knocked out. The juggernaut would have been stopped,” Vaughan said on the Stick to Cricket podcast.
“By winning against the West Indies, South Africa allowed the juggernaut to go on. India then got past Zimbabwe, the West Indies and England. South Africa played Zimbabwe in their last match of Super 8, and they even rested three main players,” he added.
Vaughan mentioned that the best way to win a World Cup is by eliminating the best team early. “These things don’t happen, but I am just saying that if you want to win a World Cup, the best way is to eliminate the best team early from the tournament,” he explained.
If South Africa had lost to the West Indies, there was a chance of them getting eliminated from the Super 8 stage, as a clash against Zimbabwe would have become a must-win contest.