Amir Predicts India Will Miss T20 World Cup Semi-Finals

Former Pakistan left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir has made a bold prediction ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s stage, claiming that defending champions India will not make it to the semi-finals. Amir, who previously stirred controversy by calling opener Abhishek Sharma a mere “slogger”, has now set his sights on the entire Indian team, asserting that South Africa and the West Indies will advance from Super 8s Group A at India’s expense.

Batting Woes at the Heart of Amir’s Concerns

India progressed to the Super 8s unbeaten after defeating the Netherlands in their final group stage match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. However, Amir pointed to persistent batting struggles as the core of his scepticism. Abhishek Sharma has been particularly worrying, registering three ducks in the tournament without scoring a single run. Speaking on the show ‘Haarna Mana Hai’, Amir argued that barring the match against Pakistan, India’s batting lineup has repeatedly caved under pressure — a weakness he believes South Africa and the West Indies will ruthlessly exploit.

India’s Super 8s Schedule and the Road Ahead

Suryakumar Yadav’s India will open their Super 8s campaign on Sunday, February 22, against South Africa in Ahmedabad, before taking on Zimbabwe in Chennai on February 26. Their final group match comes on March 1 against the West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. In Group B of the Super 8s, Pakistan, New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka battle for two semi-final berths, with Amir backing Pakistan and New Zealand to advance — the two sides opening proceedings on February 21 in Colombo.

India have been undefeated across their last three ICC events, a record that underlines their dominance in white-ball cricket. Yet Amir remains unconvinced, insisting the pressure of Super 8 cricket will expose India’s fragile batting order. Whether his prediction proves accurate or merely adds fuel to the fire of cricketing rivalry, it has certainly intensified focus on how India’s top order responds when the stakes are highest.