The defending champions, India, suffered a heavy defeat against South Africa in their Super 8 encounter of the T20 World Cup, falling 76 runs short after being bowled out for 111 while chasing 188.
South Africa posted a challenging total of 188 for 7, thanks to a brilliant innings from David Miller, who anchored the innings with fluency and power. He was well-supported by Tristan Stubbs, while the lower order added valuable runs.
Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, and Lungi Ngidi shared the spoils with the ball, keeping India under constant pressure.
#ICCT20WorldCup2026 | South Africa beat India by 76 runs at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, in a Super 8 Group 1 match.#IndiavsSouthAfrica #T20WorldCup #SouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/eKtlVsZkEW
— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) February 22, 2026
India’s chase started with some promise as Abhishek Sharma and Surya Kumar Yadav looked to provide stability at the top. However, the top and middle order quickly collapsed under South Africa’s disciplined bowling. Ishan Kishan fell for a duck, followed by Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma, who were dismissed cheaply. Washington Sundar and Surya Kumar Yadav also failed to make an impact, leaving India struggling early in the innings.
The 15th over proved disastrous for India as Keshav Maharaj ran through the lower middle order, claiming three quick wickets, including Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, and Arshdeep Singh. While Hardik Pandya struck a couple of massive sixes in the lower order to keep some hope alive, it wasn’t enough to shift the momentum. Shivam Dube and Jasprit Bumrah fell in the final overs, with Marco Jansen finishing the innings in style.
India’s innings ended at 111 all out in 19.4 overs, leaving them 77 runs short of the target set by South Africa. South Africa’s combination of aggressive batting, led by David Miller, and disciplined bowling dismantled India from start to finish, leaving the defending champions in deep trouble throughout the chase.
David Miller was awarded Player of the Match for his match-defining innings, while South Africa maintained their unbeaten streak in the Super 8 stage. India will now need to regroup quickly if they are to keep their title defence alive in the remaining fixtures.
India vs South Africa T20 World Cup: Playing XI
India are led by Suryakumar Yadav, with Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Jasprit Bumrah in the playing XI.
South Africa are captained by Aiden Markram, with Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, and Lungi Ngidi completing the XI.
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/2025619311373828449
End of Innings: India 111 All Out
Marco Jansen finishes off India’s innings in style. Shivam Dube began the final over with a six but was soon dismissed, leg-glancing to Lungisani Ngidi. Jasprit Bumrah walked in as the last man and fell to a full-length cover drive, caught by Aiden Markram.
WICKETS:
Shivam Dube c Lungisani Ngidi b Marco Jansen
Jasprit Bumrah c Aiden Markram b Marco Jansen
India are all out for 111, falling 77 runs short of South Africa’s total of 188. South Africa’s bowling attack, led by Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Corbin Bosch, and Lungi Ngidi, dominated from start to finish.
End of Over 18: India 105/8
Lungi Ngidi bowls for South Africa. Shivam Dube picks up 2 runs off the second ball and rotates the strike with a single off the last delivery. India move to 105/8, trying to eke out runs in the final overs of the chase.
End of Over 17: India 102/8
Corbin Bosch continues for South Africa. Shivam Dube manages the only run of the over with a single, taking India to 102/8.
End of Over 16: India 101/8
Kagiso Rabada continues for South Africa, but Shivam Dube swings back with aggression, driving two massive sixes to bring India past the century. Shivam Dube rotates the strike with a single off the fifth ball.
India move to 101/8, trying to chip away at the target amid a collapsing innings.
End of 15th Over: India 88/8
Keshav Maharaj wreaks havoc for South Africa, claiming three quick wickets in a brutal over.
WICKET: Hardik Pandya c Tristan Stubbs b Keshav Maharaj
WICKET: Rinku Singh c Tristan Stubbs b Keshav Maharaj
WICKET: Arshdeep Singh c Tristan Stubbs b Keshav Maharaj
Shivam Dube and Arshdeep Singh tried to rotate the strike with singles, but the Proteas’ spinner dismantled India’s lower middle order. India are now 88/8, in deep trouble in the chase.
End of Over: India 86/5
Lungi Ngidi continues for South Africa. Hardik Pandya starts the over with a single, and he and Shivam Dube rotate the strike with singles throughout. India moves to 86/5, still needing a solid partnership to steady the innings.
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/2025610303606800509
End of Over 13: India 81/5
Marco Jansen continues for South Africa. Shivam Dube opens the over with a single, and he and Hardik Pandya rotate the strike effectively with singles throughout.
India move to 81/5 after 13 overs, trying to rebuild their innings amid the early top-order losses.
End of Over 12: India 75/5
Kagiso Rabada bowls for South Africa. Shivam Dube opens the scoring with a single, followed by another single from Hardik Pandya. Rabada then concedes a boundary on the fourth ball before taking a single to finish the over.
India move to 75/5, still needing a steady partnership to revive their innings.
End of Over 11: India 68/5
Keshav Maharaj continues for South Africa. Hardik Pandya gets off to a flying start, smashing a maximum off the first ball. He and Shivam Dube then rotate the strike with a couple of singles, taking India to 68/5 after 11 overs.
End of Over 10: India 57/5
Corbin Bosch strikes again, removing India’s captain, Surya Kumar Yadav. Yadav attempts a slog shot but is caught by Dewald Brevis at mid-wicket.
WICKET: Surya Kumar Yadav c Dewald Brevis b Corbin Bosch
Hardik Pandya walks in and gets off to a steady start as India manages 4 runs from the over, moving to 57/5.
End of Over 10: India 57/5
Corbin Bosch strikes again, removing India’s captain, Surya Kumar Yadav. Yadav attempts a slog shot but is caught by Dewald Brevis at mid-wicket.
WICKET: Surya Kumar Yadav c Dewald Brevis b Corbin Bosch
Hardik Pandya walks in and gets off to a steady start as India manages 4 runs from the over, moving to 57/5.
End of Over 9: India 51/4
Lungi Ngidi continues for South Africa, conceding singles throughout the over. Surya Kumar Yadav and Shivam Dube rotate the strike effectively, with Yadav taking a single off the last ball.
India reach 51/4 after nine overs, still needing a steady partnership to stabilise the innings.
End of Over 8: India 47/4
Corbin Bosch strikes early for South Africa. He concedes a single to Surya Kumar Yadav before removing Washington Sundar, who attempts an aggressive lofted cover drive but is caught by Quinton de Kock.
WICKET: Washington Sundar c Quinton De Kock b Corbin Bosch
Shivam Dube walks in and immediately rotates the strike with a single. India move to 47/4 after eight overs, struggling with regular top-order losses in the chase.
End of Over 7: India 42/3
Keshav Maharaj continues for South Africa. Surya Kumar Yadav rotates the strike with a single, while Washington Sundar adds a couple of singles. Sundar finishes the over in style with a massive six, taking India to 42/3.
End of Over 7: India 42/3
Keshav Maharaj continues for South Africa. Surya Kumar Yadav rotates the strike with a single, while Washington Sundar adds a couple of singles. Sundar finishes the over in style with a massive six, taking India to 42/3.
End of Over 6: India 30/3
Kagiso Rabada keeps things tight for South Africa, conceding just a single to Washington Sundar in the fifth ball of the over.
India remains struggling at 30/3, with wickets falling early and the required run rate looming.
End of Over 5: India 29/3
WICKET: Marco Jansen strikes early again, removing Abhishek Sharma on the third ball of the over.
Washington Sundar and Surya Kumar Yadav rotate the strike with singles, with Sundar finishing the over with a single. India are now 29/3, struggling early in the chase.
End of Over 4: India 26/2
Lungi Ngidi comes for South Africa in the 4th. Surya Kumar Yadav manages a single off the fourth ball after three dot balls. A wide follows, and Abhishek Sharma adds another single off the final delivery, taking India to 26/2.
End of 3rd Over: India 23/2
Kagiso Rabada starts the over tight, bowling three dot balls to Abhishek Sharma. Sharma then hits a massive six off the fourth delivery and follows it up with a boundary to finish the over, taking India to 23/2.
End of 2nd Over: India 13/2
Marco Jansen strikes early for South Africa, removing N. Tilak Varma with a well-timed appeal caught by Quinton de Kock.
WICKET: N Tilak Varma c Quinton de Kock b Marco Jansen
Surya Kumar Yadav walks in and responds aggressively, hitting two boundaries, taking India to 13/2.
End of Over 1: India 5/1
South Africa’s Aiden Markram opens the bowling as India’s innings begins.
WICKET: Ishan Kishan faces a tough start and is out for a duck on the fourth ball after three dot balls.
N. Tilak Varma walks in, while Abhishek Sharma makes an immediate impact, hitting a boundary off the final delivery to end the over at 5/1.
End of Over 1: India 5/1
South Africa’s Aiden Markram opens the bowling as India’s innings begins.
WICKET: Ishan Kishan faces a tough start and is out for a duck on the fourth ball after three dot balls.
N. Tilak Varma walks in, while Abhishek Sharma makes an immediate impact, hitting a boundary off the final delivery to end the over at 5/1.
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/2025592782493241516
End of Innings: South Africa 187/7
Hardik Pandya finishes with the ball, conceding a couple of singles early in the over. Tristan Stubbs ends the innings with a flourish, hitting a boundary followed by two massive sixes.
South Africa posts a competitive total of 187/7, setting India a challenging target to chase.
End of 19th Over: South Africa 167/7
Jasprit Bumrah keeps the pressure on for India. Tristan Stubbs rotates the strike with a couple of singles, but Bumrah strikes again with a perfect yorker to Corbin Bosch, who plays a defensive forward push and is caught and bowled.
WICKET: Corbin Bosch c&b Jasprit Bumrah
Kagiso Rabada walks in to join Stubbs as South Africa slip to 167/7, with India firmly in control.
End of 19th Over: South Africa 167/7
Jasprit Bumrah keeps the pressure on for India. Tristan Stubbs rotates the strike with a couple of singles, but Bumrah strikes again with a perfect yorker to Corbin Bosch, who plays a defensive forward push and is caught and bowled.
WICKET: Corbin Bosch c&b Jasprit Bumrah
Kagiso Rabada walks in to join Stubbs as South Africa slip to 167/7, with India firmly in control.
End of 18th over: South Africa 164/6
Arshdeep Singh returns and starts with a single to Tristan Stubbs. He then strikes in the second ball, removing Marco Jansen with a well-timed pull shot caught by Rinku Singh at deep mid-wicket.
WICKET: Marco Jansen c Rinku Singh b Arshdeep Singh
Corbin Bosch joins the crease and hits a boundary off the second-last ball of the over. South Africa reach 164/6, with India keeping the pressure firmly on.
End of 17th Over: South Africa 157/5
Jasprit Bumrah keeps things tight for India. Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen rotate the strike with singles throughout the over, moving South Africa to 157/5.
End of 16th over: South Africa 152/5
Varun Chakaravarthy strikes again to break the partnership. He concedes a single to David Miller and then sees Tristan Stubbs clear the ropes for a six, followed by a single. On the final delivery, Varun traps Miller with an aggressive lofted off-drive, caught by Tilak Varma at long-off.
WICKET: David Miller c N Tilak Varma b Varun Chakaravarthy
Marco Jansen walks in to join Stubbs but doesn’t score off the balls. South Africa are now 152/5, losing two crucial wickets in quick succession.
End of Over: South Africa 144/4
Hardik Pandya bowls a tidy over, conceding a single to Tristan Stubbs. David Miller keeps the scoreboard ticking with a boundary and a single, while Stubbs adds two consecutive doubles later in the over.
South Africa moves to 144/4, with Miller continuing to anchor the innings.
End of 14th Over: South Africa 134/4
Washington Sundar keeps it tight, conceding a couple of singles as David Miller and Tristan Stubbs rotate the strike. South Africa move to 134/4, looking to rebuild after the loss of Brevis.
End of 14th Over: South Africa 134/4
Washington Sundar keeps it tight, conceding a couple of singles as David Miller and Tristan Stubbs rotate the strike. South Africa move to 134/4, looking to rebuild after the loss of Brevis.
End of 13th Over: South Africa 128/4
Shivam Dube strikes to remove Dewald Brevis. Brevis goes for an aggressive pull on the back foot but is caught by Abhishek Sharma at deep mid-wicket.
WICKET: Dewald Brevis c Abhishek Sharma b Shivam Dube
Tristan Stubbs walks in and immediately gets two off a no-ball, while David Miller hits a massive six. The pair rotates the strike with singles, taking South Africa to 128/4.
End of Over 13: South Africa 128/4
Shivam Dube strikes to remove Dewald Brevis. Brevis goes for an aggressive pull on the back foot but is caught by Abhishek Sharma at deep mid-wicket.
WICKET: Dewald Brevis c Abhishek Sharma b Shivam Dube
Tristan Stubbs walks in and immediately gets two off a no-ball, while David Miller hits a massive six. The pair rotates the strike with singles, taking South Africa to 128/4.
End of 13th Over: South Africa 128/4
Shivam Dube strikes to remove Dewald Brevis. Brevis goes for an aggressive pull on the back foot but is caught by Abhishek Sharma at deep mid-wicket.
WICKET: Dewald Brevis c Abhishek Sharma b Shivam Dube
Tristan Stubbs walks in and immediately gets two off a no-ball, while David Miller hits a massive six. The pair rotates the strike with singles, taking South Africa to 128/4.
End of 12th over: South Africa 111/3
Varun Chakaravarthy returns to the attack. Dewald Brevis starts with a single, followed by a wide, and David Miller punches a boundary. Brevis then plays an aggressive cover drive, adding a bye to the extras. Miller rotates the strike with a single, Chakaravarthy concedes two more wides, and Brevis finishes the over with another single.
South Africa move to 111/3, keeping a steady pace in the middle overs.
End of 11th over: South Africa 99/3
Shivam Dube comes into the attack and concedes a boundary to Dewald Brevis. After a wide, Brevis hits a massive six and finishes the over with a single.
South Africa reach 99/3, keeping the run rate ticking in the middle overs.
End of 10th over: South Africa 84/3
Hardik Pandya starts the over tight, conceding singles to David Miller and Dewald Brevis. Brevis then takes two off a no-ball, earning a free hit, and Miller makes the most of it, pulling it for a massive six.
South Africa moves to 84/3, keeping the momentum alive in the middle overs.
End of 9th over: South Africa 73/3
Varun Chakaravarthy gets hit for a six by David Miller, but the Proteas continue to find boundaries. Dewald Brevis joins the party, smashing a four and a six in consecutive deliveries.
South Africa moves to 73/3 with the middle order showing intent.
End of 8th over: South Africa 56/3
Hardik Pandya keeps things tight for India. Dewald Brevis and David Miller rotate the strike with singles throughout the over, taking South Africa to 56/3.
End of 7th over: South Africa 52/3
Washington Sundar comes into the attack and concedes a boundary to Dewald Brevis. The pair rotates the strike with a couple of singles before David Miller finishes the over with a crisp drive for four.
South Africa move to 52/3, looking to rebuild after early setbacks.
End of 6th over: South Africa 41/3
Arshdeep Singh continues for India, conceding a single to Dewald Brevis. David Miller keeps South Africa ticking with a boundary, followed by a wide and another four off the fourth ball.
The Proteas move to 41/3, looking to steady their innings after early blows.
End of 5th over: South Africa 31/3
Varun Chakaravarthy comes into the attack and concedes a single to Dewald Brevis. David Miller then steadies the innings with two runs before cracking back-to-back boundaries, taking South Africa to 31/3.
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/2025570595300385064
End of 4th over: South Africa 20/3
Jasprit Bumrah strikes again to deepen South Africa’s early collapse. Dewald Brevis picks up a single, but Ryan Rickelton falls on the last ball, pushing defensively and finding Shivam Dube at mid-off.
WICKET: Ryan Rickelton c Shivam Dube b Jasprit Bumrah
India are right on top with three early wickets in the powerplay.
End of 2nd over: South Africa 10/1
Jasprit Bumrah strikes early for India. Quinton de Kock picks up a boundary after a couple of singles but perishes next ball, playing an aggressive lofted on-drive straight to be bowled by Bumrah.
WICKET: Quinton de Kock b Jasprit Bumrah
Ryan Rickelton walks in to replace him as South Africa loses their first wicket.
End of 2nd over: South Africa 10/1
Jasprit Bumrah strikes early for India. Quinton de Kock picks up a boundary after a couple of singles but perishes next ball, playing an aggressive lofted on-drive straight to be bowled by Bumrah.
WICKET: Quinton de Kock b Jasprit Bumrah
Ryan Rickelton walks in to replace him as South Africa loses their first wicket.
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/2025567149918753205
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/2025568540489843002
End of 3rd over: South Africa 19/2
Arshdeep Singh strikes again to remove Aiden Markram. The South Africa captain plays an aggressive lofted off-drive but ends up gifting a catch to Hardik Pandya at mid-off.
WICKET: Aiden Markram c Hardik Pandya b Arshdeep Singh
Dewald Brevis walks in and gets off the mark with a single before Ryan Rickelton finishes the over in style with a six off the last ball.
End of 2nd over: South Africa 10/1
Jasprit Bumrah strikes early for India. Quinton de Kock picks up a boundary after a couple of singles but perishes next ball, playing an aggressive lofted on-drive straight to be bowled by Bumrah.
WICKET: Quinton de Kock b Jasprit Bumrah
Ryan Rickelton walks in to replace him as South Africa loses their first wicket.
End of 1st over: South Africa 4/0
Arshdeep Singh opens the bowling for India, with Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock opening the innings for South Africa. Markram gets off the mark with a single first ball, followed by a couple more singles as the Proteas pick up four from the opening over.
End of 1st over: South Africa 4/0
Arshdeep Singh opens the bowling for India, with Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock opening the innings for South Africa. Markram gets off the mark with a single first ball, followed by a couple more singles as the Proteas pick up four from the opening over.
Aiden Markram:
"At the toss, we’ve chosen to bat first. The wicket looks excellent, much drier than what we’ve seen here before, and it should stay good throughout the game. Hopefully, we can put a strong total on the board. The team is in good rhythm at the moment. It’s great to see several players in form. We’re definitely not getting ahead of ourselves, but it’s encouraging to see the hard work behind the scenes paying off. We’ve had the chance to play here before, although on different pitches, black-soil surfaces mostly. This venue usually produces high-scoring games, which is exactly the kind of contest players enjoy being a part of. As for the XI, we’ve returned to our standard lineup. We’ve made four changes from the previous match, Keshav, Lungi, Marco and Dave all come back into the side."
Suryakumar Yadav:
"To be honest, we were thinking of batting first as well, but no complaints. We played here a couple of days ago, and early on, there was something in the pitch when we bowled first. So we’re happy to make use of that movement upfront.
It’s a huge match, a great stage for everyone to step up and show what they’re made of. The atmosphere looks fantastic, probably a full house tonight, and we hope to put on the kind of cricket the fans are hoping for. Yes, we have three games in the Super 8s, but we want to start strongly, right from the first ball. Tonight is about keeping our energy high and sticking to the good habits we’ve built.
The surface looks similar to the one we played on previously, so we’re comfortable bowling first. It feels tough on Axar Patel, but tactically we’re sticking with the same combination. No changes from the last match."
South Africa Playing XI:
Aiden Markram (C), with Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj and Lungi Ngidi.
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/2025559827272049008
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/2025559154514117094
Toss Update: South Africa chooses to bat first in Ahmedabad.
Toss Update: South Africa chooses to bat first in Ahmedabad.
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/2025559154514117094
Toss Update: South Africa chooses to bat first in Ahmedabad.
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/2025559154514117094
Toss Update: South Africa chooses to bat first in Ahmedabad.
https://x.com/BCCI/status/2025559154514117094
Toss Update: South Africa chooses to bat first in Ahmedabad.
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/2025559154514117094
Toss Update: South Africa choose to bat first in Ahmedabad.
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/2025559154514117094
India Playing XI: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah.
Toss Update: South Africa chooses to bat first in Ahmedabad.
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/2025549173219901823
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/2025223989950644686