The T20 World Cup 2026 produced several standout performances, with India eventually lifting the title. Among the notable contenders, New Zealand impressed with a commanding display against South Africa in the semi-final, underlining their strength in the shortest format. Zimbabwe also emerged as one of the tournament’s surprise packages after defeating Australia to reach the Super 8 stage. Meanwhile, both South Africa and England maintained consistent form throughout the competition before their respective semi-final exits.
Despite South Africa’s solid run, former England captain Michael Vaughan offered a humorous take while naming them the tournament’s “stupidest team”. His remark was linked to the outcome of their Super 8 clash against the West Indies, which he suggested indirectly aided India’s progression to the semi-finals.
“I tell you, who I think is the stupidest team of the tournament? South Africa. Because if South Africa had allowed the West Indies to beat them in the Super 8s, India would have been knocked out. I’m just saying – if they had cleared them out, the juggernaut that was coming would have stopped,” Vaughan said.
“By winning that game, they allowed the juggernaut to go on. India then beat Zimbabwe, then the West Indies in a kind of quarterfinal, and then England. South Africa had to play Zimbabwe next, and they even rested three players for that match.”
Earlier, Vaughan had also praised India’s dominance in white-ball cricket, describing them as the leading side in both T20 and ODI formats.
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“India are the best T20 team by a good distance. Plus the best 50-over team by a good distance. They will take some stopping in white-ball cricket. They have taken the game to a different level.”
He further named Jasprit Bumrah as his Player of the Tournament, while noting, “But you can get them in Test cricket.”
Sanju Samson, however, was officially awarded the Player of the Tournament honour after scoring three crucial half-centuries — in the must-win match against West Indies, the semi-final versus England, and the final.
