New Delhi

Dale Steyn believes New Zealand national cricket team should inherit the “chokers” tag if they fail to defeat India national cricket team in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

New Zealand reached the final after defeating South Africa national cricket team in the first semifinal at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, while India beat England national cricket team by seven runs in the second semifinal in Mumbai.

Steyn said New Zealand had appeared in more ICC finals than South Africa and should carry the “chokers” label if they fall short again in a major tournament.

Speaking during a discussion with AB de Villiers on the latter’s YouTube channel, Steyn said the Kiwis had reached multiple finals but had not converted them into titles.

“Everyone likes to call South Africa chokers, but New Zealand haven’t won many World Cups themselves and they have been in more finals than we have,” he said.

“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.”

New Zealand have finished runners-up in several major tournaments in recent years, including the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

However, they did win the ICC World Test Championship Final 2021, where they defeated India.

Steyn said India would enter the T20 World Cup final as strong favourites and added that it would require a “monumental choke” from the hosts to lose the title clash.

“I really want New Zealand to win, but do I think they will beat India? No,” he said.

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New Zealand have reached eight ICC finals since their victory in the ICC KnockOut Trophy 2000 but have managed to win only one of those — the World Test Championship final in 2021.