Former Australia captain predicts T20 World Cup Finalist, gives shocking India vs Pakistan Prediction

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has backed India and Australia to reach the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

The tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, kicks off on February 7 and runs through March 8, featuring 20 teams in a revamped format. India head Group A alongside Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, and Namibia, while Australia anchor Group B with Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman.

The event marks a significant expansion, promising high-stakes clashes early on, and as India and Pakistan are set to face each other, Clarke believes the Indian team will overpower their rivals again.

Clarke highlighted India's consistent edge over Pakistan, noting the current dominance of Suryakumar Yadav and co. against their neighbours.

"Everyone wants to see it tight. But India has outplayed them (PAK) over a long period of time. Pakistan has not even been close. Pakistan needs to be able to deal with the pressure of playing India and that rivalry," Clarke said on Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.

India are the defending champion of the T20 World Cup and have an immense opportunity to be the first team to defend their title. If the Indian team win the tournament, they will also eclipse West Indies and England as the first team to win the World Cup three times. Clarke's Australia has so far won the title once, when they lifted in the 2021 edition in the UAE.