Kagiso Rabada believes there is no clear-cut favourite to win the T20 World Cup, with the South Africa paceman saying the trophy is "up for grabs" for anyone.

South Africa finished as runners-up at the 2024 edition of the tournament, suffering a narrow seven-run defeat to India in the final in Bridgetown.

The Proteas are fancied to enjoy another deep run this year, when the competition is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. 

They have been drawn into Group D, alongside Afghanistan, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates and Canada, with the latter being their first opponents on Monday.

England's Will Jacks said on Friday that India are favourites to lift the trophy for a record-breaking third time, but Rabada feels South Africa – who have never won the competition – have as good a chance as anyone.

"You cannot say that there's a favourite in this tournament. I think it's up for grabs. Anyone can take it," Rabada said.

"We'll be putting our hand up for that, for sure. I'm not too sure what's going on in the Indian camp. This tournament is right open."

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South Africa suffered a chastening defeat to India in a warm-up match on Wednesday, with the co-hosts winning by 30 runs after setting their opponents a mammoth target of 241. 

The Proteas will play all their group games in Ahmedabad, where 75% of T20I wickets have been taken by fast bowlers, and Rabada says they must make use of the pace at their disposal.

"We weren't trying to really be strategic. It was more for the individual players to get a feel of what they wanted to do and announce themselves into the tournament," Rabada said, reflecting on the fact eight different players bowled against India.

"We do certainly have a lot of pace, so it's about understanding how we're going to combine that with the slower bowling that we've got and use that to the best effect. 

"Let's see what the conditions hold for us. Ahmedabad is known for wickets that will suit fast bowling. There are different soils. There's red soil, there's black soil. 

"Normally, the red soil is the bouncier soil. We just need to take that into account and understand how best we're going to put everything together."