Dale Steyn believes it is all but impossible for New Zealand to beat India in the 2026 T20 World Cup final on Sunday. The former South Africa pacer said it would require a ‘monumental choke’ from India to lose, adding that when the Kiwis prove him right, he’d transfer the ‘chokers’ tag to them from the Proteas.

Speaking two days before the summit clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Steyn brought up New Zealand’s record of five losses from seven ICC finals.

“Look, let’s be honest here. New Zealand…. everyone likes to call South Africa chokers, but I am going to say it. New Zealand haven’t won many World Cups themselves, and they have been in more finals than we have,” Dale Steyn told AB de Villiers on his YouTube channel.

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“So, no offence, New Zealand, but please go on to win this; otherwise, I am formally handing over that card to you; it’s yours. I love New Zealand, but they won’t beat India. It would require a monumental choke from India. I am calling it; it’s impossible. I really want them to win, but do I think they’ll beat India? No,” he added.

Interestingly, the only two ICC finals that New Zealand won — the 2000 Knockout Trophy (now called the Champions Trophy) and the 2021 inaugural World Test Championship Final — were both against India.

Speaking further in the show, AB de Villiers brought up the 2015 ODI World Cup semi-final, saying he ‘hates’ New Zealand for beating South Africa because they were ‘never going’ to win the final against Australia.

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“I hate New Zealand for that. In 2015, they were never going to beat Australia in that final. And I mean, guys will hate me for saying this, but there was only one team that was going to beat Australia in Australia, and that was South Africa, alright. And now we find New Zealand in the final again, and they will play India in India. Lots of respect for New Zealand as a sporting reason. Both you and I are going to be killed, Dale, if they go on to win the T20 World Cup,” de Villiers said.