India Vs South Africa Highlights, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Clinical SA Bring IND's Record WC Winning Streak To Grinding Halt

It's back to the drawing board for the Indian team management and it's time we bid you a goodnight too. India will be back in action on Feb 28, taking on Zimbabwe in Chennai. 

Every game will take on added importance now for the co-hosts who cannot afford any more missteps in their title defence. 

South Africa are next in action on Feb 26 as they go up against West Indies. 

Meanwhile, tomorrow the other two teams in this group will be up against each other with West Indies and Zimbabwe playing at the Wankhede Stadium at 7 PM. 

Follow our page for all the updates from across the tournament. 

Aiden Markram, South Africa captain: Great performance. Different type of wicket to what we have had here. Boys assessed that early and then to adapt to their plans. Happy for the bowlers. Start to the comp was tough, but tonight (they were brilliant). The partnership they (Brevis and Miller) put up, it kept us in the game. Did not feel like the ball was travelling. It was a bit spongy. Trying to hit into space and run hard. They bowled well up front and at the death, but our batting through the middle was probably the difference. Good effort but we put two down. Other day against UAE, we were not as connected. That was much better today. (On Ngidi and his role tonight) We feel like he is a threat whenever he is bowling, and that he can take wickets through the middle. He just rocks up and keeps delivering. (On facing West Indies and if it helps facing them before this tournament) Same for both teams, having played against each other recently. They are a dangerous side. Enjoy this for one night and then park it. Big game for us. Important we rock up and take it on full steam again.

Suryakumar Yadav, India captain: We were always in the game when we started. Bowled really well in the beginning. From 7-15, they batted really well and then we come back. Bowled really well but could have batted better. Sometimes, you have to think you cannot win the game in the powerplay but you can lose it. Did not have the partnerships we needed. Part of the game. We will learn from it. Sit back and bounce back. (On Arshdeep and Bumrah) Everyone knows their combination has been lethal. Both bowled eight overs, picked five wickets and gave up 45-50 runs. They bowl well in partnerships. And good to have them in our side. (On plans for the next game in Chennai) Hopefully bat well, bowl well and field well. Keep it simple. That is what we will try to do.

David Miller, Player of the Match: Just about making sure you stick to your strengths and don't go into your shell. During the powerplay, all fielders were in the ring so thought of going over. Trying to get a partnership as much as we could, and trying to rotate strike. (Main scoring areas) With the nature of this ground, you want to look straight. Smaller there than square. Want to shape up to hit straight and then react. Looking to be nice and aggressive against the spinners. They have world-class bowlers. Have played against them a lot, trying to put them under pressure and about putting yourself in the position to do that.

India see their record T20 World Cup winnings streak come to a crashing halt at 12 wins as they're handed a harsh reality check against South Africa. They were made to chase for the first time in the tournament and this time the top-order flaws came back to haunt them. 

Ishan Kishan was the opener who got a duck this time and Tilak Varma walked back with just 1 run to his name. Barring Shivam Dube (42), no other batter managed to post any sizeable score as India were bowled out for 111. 

This is India's first defeat since losing the semifinals vs England in Adelaide in 2022. 

A night to forget for India as they're handed a reality check coming up against a quality opposition in the form of South Africa today in Ahmedabad. 

The margin of 76 runs is now India's Largest Defeat By Runs in T20 World Cups. 

Dube begins the over with a bang as he just about muscles the 1st ball over deep midwicket for SIX. 

CAUGHT! Jansen slips in a slower bouncer and Dube loses shape on the pull as hte ball goes high towards short fine leg where Ngidi takes a safe catch. 

Shivam Dube c Lungi Ngidi b Marco Jansen 42 (37)

CAUGHT! Bumrah lofts the next ball straight to extra cover as India lose by a margin of 76 runs. 

Jasprit Bumrah c Aiden Markram b Marco Jansen 0 (1)

India 111/all-out in 18.5 overs. 

The result has long looked well beyond doubt but Dube's keeping India alive in the middle. He whips the 2nd delivery over midwicket and comes back for two. He then drives the 5th delivery for a single. 

South Africa bring the field closer to Chakravarthy who manages to block it safely. 

Just 3 runs come off the over. 

India 105/8 after 18 overs. 

Dube isn't interested in taking any singles and Bosch does well to not give him any free-hits either, varying his lengths to keep the batter guessing. 

Dube finally takes the single on the 5th delivery and Chakravarthy keeps out the last ball. 

India 102/8 after 17 overs. 

Dube knows there's not much left to do but go after the bowlers and he tears into Rabada hitting back-to-back SIXES off the first two balls. 

DROPPED! Dube mistimes the slog on the 5th delivery as Rabada slips in a slower ball. It travels high into the night sky and Miller gets under it but loses his footing as it pops out of his palms. 

Chakravarthy drives the last ball to point but they don't take the single. 

India 101/8 after 13 overs. 

Whatever plans the Proteas hatched at the drinks break pays off handsomely as they take three in the very next over. 

CAUGHT! It's an excellent take by Stubbs as Hardik launches the 1st delivery high towards long-off. Stubbs seems to have been distracted by the Spider cam as he takes the catch at the edge of the ropes and then shows great awareness to throw it back in before coming back into the field to complete the catch. 

Hardik Pandya c Tristan Stubbs b Keshav Maharaj 18 (17)

CAUGHT! Two-in-two for Maharaj and once again it's the same combination. Rinju swings hard at the 2nd delivery and it's another good catch by Stubbs who comes charging in this time and puts in a good slide to take it with both hands. 

Rinku Singh c Tristan Stubbs b Keshav Maharaj 0 (2)

Arshdeep walks out and gets off the mark with a single. CAUGHT! However, Arshdeep launches the last ball high towards long-on and again it's Stubbs who takes another fine juggling catch at the ropes. 

Arshdeep Singh c Tristan Stubbs b Keshav Maharaj 1 (2)

It's a lethal over from the Proteas as just 2 runs and 3 wickets come off the over. 

India 88/8 after 15 overs. 

The Ahmedabad crowd have been silenced impressively by the Proteas here with two back-to-back overs without a boundary. 

Ngidi does well here again as he restricts the two batters to just singles in the over. 5 runs come off it with the equation now up to 102 runs needed off the final 36 balls. 

India 86/5 after 14 overs.

It's an excellent over from Jansen as he gives away just singles in the over. Dube and Hardik are looking for the big shots but are still struggling to find the right timing on this surface. 

Just 6 runs come off the over. The asking rate goes above 15 per over now for India. 

India 81/5 after 13 overs. 

Rabada returns and gives away just 2 runs off the first 3 balls. Dube then smokes the 4th delivery straight back at the bowler who has to take evasive action as it races for FOUR. 

It's still a good over for South Africa as just 7 runs come off it. India need to start shifting through the gears here. 

India 75/5 after 12 overs. 

Hardik welcomes Maharaj back into the attack with a big lofted drive and just about connects well enough as Stubbs puts in a dive at the ropes and tries to claw the ball back in but cannot prevent the SIX. 

Maharaj recovers well to give away just 5 runs off the rest of the over. 

India well behind the asking rate here with 120 needed off 54 balls. 

India 68/5 after 11 overs. 

CAUGHT! What a start by Bosch as he takes a second wicket in his second over and it's a big scalp of the Indian skipper. Suryakumar looks to whip it over midwicket but connects off the toe-end and picks out the man inside the circle. 

Suryakumar Yadav c Dewald Brevis b Corbin Bosch 18 (22) 

Hardik Pandya walks out to bat and gets off the mark with a flick for 2 runs. Bosch does excellently to give away just 6 runs and grab a wicket in the over. 

India need 131 runs from 60 balls to win. 

India 57/5 after 10 overs. 

It's a quality over by Ngidi who returns to the attack and gives away just 4 singles in the over. The Indian batters are finding it difficult to get going on this surface as witnessed on the 4th delivery when Suryakumar slogs but only gets a big inside edge that hits him in the midriff. 

India 51/4 after 9 overs. 

Corbin Bosch, right-arm fast medium comes into the attack and gets another breakthrough for the Proteas. 

CAUGHT! Much like the Tilak dismissal, Sundar skips out this time and slashes at the 2nd delivery but gets a thick outside edge that de Kock grabs behind the wickets. 

Washington Sundar c Quinton de Kock b Corbin Bosch 11 (11) 

Shivam Dube walks out to bat and gets off the mark wtih a single. It's an excellent over by Bosch as just 5 runs and a wicket come off it. 

India 47/4 after 8 overs. 

It's a return to spin as the field restrictions are lifted with Keshav Maharaj comes into the attack. The Indian batters don't take any risks off the first 5 balls as they stick to taking singles. 

Sundar then gets down on one knee and connects with the slog-sweep to send the last ball flying into the stands over deep square leg for SIX. 11 runs come off the over. 

India 42/3 after 7 overs. 

It's an excellent over from Rabada as he starts off with 4 dots in a row to Sundar. He then draws a thick outside edge on the 5th delivery but it flies past short third man for a single. 

Suryakumar drives the last ball to mid-on for a single. Just 2 runs come off the over as India get just 31 runs in the Powerplay. 

India 31/3 after 6 overs.

Marco Jansen comes back into the attack and ends Abhishek Sharma's stay as India's stumble continues. Jansen builds pressure on the first two balls as Abhishek swings and misses on both occasions. 

CAUGHT! This time the delivery is fuller onto the stumps but Jansen slips in a slower ball and Abhishek mistimes the shot sending it miles high towards long-on. Bosch does brilliantly as he goes charging back towards the boundary and takes a good catch, holding onto the ball despite colliding into Maharaj who was coming charging in from the boundary. 

Abhishek Sharma c Corbin Bosch b Marco Jansen 15 (12) 

Washington Sundar walks out and gets off the mark with a single. It's another excellent over for South Africa as just 3 runs and a wicket come off the over. 

India 29/3 after the first over. 

Lungi Ngidi enters the attack and does well as he starts off with 3 back-to-back dots to Suryakumar Yadav. The Indian skipper finally drives the 4th delivery straight down the ground but it's great work in the field by Rabada to keep them down to a single. 

Ngidi meanwhile gives away just 3 runs in the over. India much like South Africa are off to a slow start on this surface. 

India 26/2 after 4 overs. 

Bumrah 🤝 Arshdeep = India’s top wicket-takers in ICC Men's T20 World Cups. 🔥

ICC Men's #T20WorldCup | SUPER 8 | #INDvSA | LIVE NOW 👉https://t.co/dZWPZfqfbO pic.twitter.com/5Dpko9QkFY

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 22, 2026

Kagiso Rabada comes into the attack and he starts off by hitting the right areas as Abhishek looks to go big at the first three deliveries but on each occasion only connects with air. 

Abhishek then waits back as Rabada bangs the 4th delivery short and this time he plays a beautiful ramp to send it flying over the keeper's head for SIX. 

Abhishek looks to make room on the 5th delivery but Rabada spots it early and follows him with the ball to cramp him. The last ball is a full toss outside off and this time Abhishek cracks it through cover for FOUR. 

10 runs come off the over. 

India 23/2 after 3 overs. 

Marco Jansen comes into the attack and strikes with his very first delivery! 

CAUGHT! Tilak skips down the track and goes for lofted drive but only gets a faint edge on the ball as de Kock pouches it safely. Tilak isn't convinced and goes for the review. Ultraedge reveals a faint spike which means India lose another wicket and a review. 

Tilak Varma c Quinton de Kock b Marco Jansen 1 (2)

Suryakumar Yadav walks out and gets off the mark in style as he flicks the first ball he faces for FOUR. He then backs away and gently guides the 4th delivery past cover for another FOUR. 

8 runs and a wicket come off the over. 

South Africa 13/2 after 2 overs. 

Excellent captaincy by Markram as he takes responsibility to open the attack and delivers in style. Markram starts off with 3 dots in a row to Kishan. 

CAUGHT! The pressure pays off for Markram as Kishan slogs at the 4th delivery but mistimes the shot, sending it high towards cover where the fielder takes a good catch while backtracking at the edge of the circle. 

Ishan Kishan c Ryan Rickelton b Aiden Markram 0 (4)

After Abhishek, it's now Kishan's turn to walk back on a duck. Meanwhile Tilak walks out and gets off the mark with a single. 

There's a big cheer in the crowds on the last ball as Abhishek finally gets off the mark in the tournament with a vicious cut for FOUR. Will this be a sign of the tide turning for Abhishek?  

India 5/1 after the first over.

Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan walk out to begin the chase for India. The spotlight will be firmly on Abhishek who has had a horror start to the tournament with 3 back-to-back Ducks at the World Cup. 

South Africa are starting with spin here as Aiden Markran is handed the new ball with Kishan on strike. 

It was an excellent start by India in the Powerplay but David Miller (63) who was ably supported by Dewald Brevis (45) helped the Proteas recover in the middle overs. 

India's pacers struck late in the innings again but Tristan Stubs (44* off 24 balls) provided a late surge, including that 20-run over at the end of the innings to take South Africa to what looks like a good total of 187/7. 

All eyes on India's batting unit now as they set about chasing for the first time in the tournament. 

Hardik comes in to bowl the final over. Stubbs takes responsibility as he takes 4 runs off the first 2 deliveries. He then spots the slower delivery and pulls it over square leg for FOUR.

Stubbs refuses the single on the 4th delivery and it's for good reason as he clubs the 5th ball over long-on for SIX. He then finishes with back-to-back SIXES, thumping the last ball over square leg for another maximum. 

That's a big finish for South Africa with 20 runs coming off the over. 

South Africa 187/7 after 20 overs

Bumrah has been excellent in this game and he almost nonchalantly grabs his third wicket of the night. 

The over begins with just 3 runs off the first 4 as Bumrah keeps up his barrage of yorkers. 

CAUGHT! Bumrah delivers another lethal yorker and this time Bosch taps it back to the bowler. Bumrah takes it nonchalantly with his right hand and doesn't even realise it's OUT until Suryakumar pushes for a review.

Replays show it wasn't a bump ball and Bumrah now becomes India's leading wicket-taker at T20 World Cups overtaking R Ashwin's record of 32 scalps. 

Corbin Bosch c and b Jasprit Bumrah 5 (6)

Just 3 runs and a wicket come off the over. 

South Africa 167/7 after 19 overs. 

Arshdeep comes in to bowl his final over and he makes sure to add to his tally before signing off. 

CAUGHT! Jansen decides to take the aerial route on the 2nd delivery but doesn't connect cleanly enough as he finds the man at midwicket. 

Marco Jansen c Rinku Singh b Arshdeep Singh 2 (6)

Corbin Bosch walks in and gets off the mark with a dominant pull to send the 5th delivery racing through square leg for FOUR. 

It's a top over by Arshdeep as just 7 runs and a wicket come off it. 

South Africa 164/6 after 18 overs. 

Bumrah returns to the attack and typically keeps things quiet just giving away 5 singles in the over. He delivers a lethal slower bouncer on the 4th delivery that almost surprises Jansen who just about brings his bat down in time. 

South Africa 157/5 after 17 overs. 

Chakravarthy comes back into the attack for his final over and the spinner who has been uncharacteristically expensive finally has something to cheer about as he lands a big blow. 

The over begins with Stubbs sending the 2nd delivery flying over long-on for SIX. He then flicks the 3rd delivery for a single. 

CAUGHT! Chakravarthy may have been expensive but lands a big blow as Miller goes for the big hit but only sends it down the throat of the man at long-off who makes no mistake. 

David Miller c Tilak Varma b Varun Chakaravarthy 63 (35)

Marco Jansen walks out to bat and Chakravarthy finishes well with two dots. 8 runs and a wicket come the over. 

South Africa 152/5 after 16 overs. 

Hardik Pandya returns to the attack but this time he can't keep Miller quiet as the Proteas batter plays a nice late dab on the 2nd delivery to send it past short third man for FOUR. 

Stubbs also shows some aggression as he drives the 5th delivery powerfully past cover but Sundar does well to cut it off and keep them down to just 2 runs. Hardik bangs the last ball short and Stubbs pulls with authority for 2 more. 

10 runs come off the over. 

South Africa 144/4 after 15 overs. 

𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐓, 𝐖𝐈𝐃𝐄, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐆𝐎𝐍𝐄! ☝️

Shivam Dube strikes at the perfect time with the breakthrough #TeamIndia was hunting for! 💥

ICC Men's #T20WorldCup | SUPER 8 | #INDvSA | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/dZWPZfqfbO pic.twitter.com/U925F4DkAq

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 22, 2026

It's a good quiet over from Sundar as he returns to the attack and restricts both batters to just six singles in the over. 

Just the kind of over India needed to put a lid on the scoring with Miller looking particularly dangerous. 

South Africa 134/4 after 14 overs. 

There's a lot that happens as Dube continues into the 2nd over of his spell. He starts with a slower ball but that's read by Brevis who smokes it just over the man at long-off for SIX. 

CAUGHT! This time Dube pulls his length back and it pays dividends as Brevis looks to pull but only gets a big top-edge towards deep midwicket. 

Dewald Brevis c Abhishek Sharma b Shivam Dube 45 (29) 

Tristan Stubbs walks out to bat and gets off the mark with a single. Dube meanwhile oversteps resulting in the dreaded siren going off to signal a no-ball and free-hit. Again Miller doesn't let it go unpunished as he slashes the ball over point for SIX. That brings up a 26-ball FIFTY for Miller who has been excellent tonight. 

17 runs come off the over. 

South Africa 128/4 after 13 overs. 

Chakravarthy is back into the attack and he too seems to have lost his radar a little as he sends down 3 wides in the over. He also drops one short and Miller's eyes light up as he slaps it past extra cover for FOUR. 

12 runs off the over as the "Nelson" comes up for the Proteas, could that give India some hope?

South Africa 111/3 after 

Ahead of today's game, Google CEO Sundar Pichai was seen carrying the ICC T20 World Cup trophy alongside the legendary Sunil Gavaskar.

It was a symbolic moment of 'Tech meets Tradition' as the global tech leader, who is known to be an ardent cricket fan, joined the Little Master to present the silverware at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Check out the full story and photos of the trophy walk here - Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Sunil Gavaskar Carry ICC T20 World Cup Trophy Ahead Of India Vs South Africa Match

Dube makes a decent start with a couple of dots to Brevis. He then pitches the next ball well outside off to keep it away from the batter but it's a wide delivery. 

From there Dube loses the plot a little as Brevis chips the next ball for 2 runs and then slashes at the 4th delivery to send it racing for FOUR. 

Dube delivers another wide outside off and then dishes out a juicy full toss that Brevis launches over long-on for SIX. 15 runs come off the over. 

South Africa 99/3 after 11 overs. 

Hardik Pandya has been really good so far and initially concedes just 4 runs in the over. However, he's just about over-stepped on the final ball and is called back to rebowl as the umpire signals for a no-ball and free-hit. 

Miller isn't going to miss out on such an opportunity as he smacks the shorter delivery sending it flying high into the stands for SIX. That might sting for Hardik as 11 runs come off the over.  

South Africa 84/3 after 10 overs. 

Chakravarthy is back into the attack but is taken to the cleaners by the Proteas duo. Miller is the first one as he clears his front foot and launches the 2nd delivery high over long-on for SIX. 

Brevis then shows his range as he backs away and plays a late cut to send the 4th ball past sweeper cover for FOUR. He then gets low and connects beautifully with the slog to send the next ball flying over midwicket for SIX. 

17 runs come off the over. 

South Africa 73/3 after 9 overs. 

Hardik Pandya enters the attack and does well to delivery a quiet over with just 4 runs coming off it in singles. 

The all-rounder could play a big role here to build pressure on the Proteas by depriving them of any opportunities to find the boundaries. 

South Africa 56/3 after 8 overs.

Washington Sundar is introduced into the attack immediately after the powerplay and he starts with a poor short delivery that Brevis slaps through cover for FOUR. Sundar corrects his length and does well to give away just 3 runs off the next 4 balls. 

Miller though backs away on the last delivery and plays a crunching drive through extra cover for FOUR. 

11 runs come off the over. 

South Africa 52/3 after 7 overs.

Arshdeep returns to the attack but this time he's faced by a steely-faced David Miller who gets on the offensive. Miller pulls the 3rd delivery over midwicket for FOUR. He gets onto the back foot again to punch the 4th delivery past the man at cover for back-to-back FOURs. 

10 runs come off the final over of the powerplay. 

South Africa 41/3 after 6 overs.

Suryakumar Yadav decides to bring in his spinner now as Varun Chakravarthy is introduced into the attack. 

He starts off decently and draws a thick outside edge on the 4th delivery from Miller but is unlucky as the ball escapes for FOUR. The next ball is a tad too full and this time Miller lifts it over mid-off to make it back-to-back FOURs. 

11 runs come off the over. 

South Africa 31/3 after 5 overs. 

It's another excellent over from Bumrah who is breathing fire on his home turf. He starts off by giving away just 1 run off the first 5 balls to build pressure. 

CAUGHT! Bumrah then slips in a slower delivery to Rickelton who looks to drive but is early into the shot as he chips it straight to mid-off. 

South Africa are finding it tough to deal with this relentless Indian pace duo of Bumrah and Arshdeep. 

Just 1 run and a wicket come off the over. 

South Africa 20/3 after 4 overs. 

And just like that, India pluck another wicket as Arshdeep returns to get rid of the other Proteas opener. 

CAUGHT! Arshdeep lures Markram into a drive on the 4th delivery but the Proteas captain cannot keep his shot down and ends up chipping it straight into the welcome hands of Hardik at mid-off who doesn't put down too many. 

Markram c Hardik Pandya b Arshdeep Singh 4 (7)

Dewald Brevis is the new man in and he gets off the mark with a single. Arshdeep finishes with a short delivery down leg and this time is punished as Rickelton pulls it high over deep square leg for SIX. 

9 runs and a wicket come off the over. 

South Africa 19/2 after 3 overs. 
 

Jasprit Bumrah doesn't take too long to give the Indian fans in his home state something to cheer about as he lights up the bails with an absolute peach! 

The over begins tentatively with 2 runs coming off the first 3 balls before Bumrah sends down a low full toss that de Kock slaps for FOUR. Bumrah isn't happy with himself and shows why he's one of the best in the business on the very next delivery. 

BOWLED HIM! This time Bumrah sends down a ripper on a perfect length that just shapes in after hitting the deck as de Kock looks to heave but connects with thin air as the ball hits the top of the leg-stump. 

Quinton de Kock b Jasprit Bumrah 6 (7) 

Ryan Rickelton is the new man in and he survives a scare right from the off as Bumrah sends one whizzing past the outside edge. 

South Africa 10/1 after 2 overs. 

Arshdeep starts off hitting a good length outside off which Markram punches to backward point to get off the mark with a single. de Kock blocks out the next two before guiding the 4th delivery to sweeper cover to get his innings going. 

There's a big appeal for LBW on the final delivery as de Kock looks to paddle but gets hit on the pads. The impact looks outside the line of the off-stump though as the umpire signals leg bye. 

Just 4 runs come off the over. 

South Africa 4/0 after the first over. 

Quinton de Kock makes his way out the middle along with his captain Aiden Markram to open the innings for South Africa. 

Arshdeep Singh has been handed the new ball to open the attack for India with Markram taking strike. 

Two files of yellow and blue make their way out to the middle for the national anthems. The players look sharp and focused as we're just moments away from the first over. 

Doing the Pitch report for the broadcasters, Ravi Shastri and Shaun Pollock have said: It’s Ahmedabad, and it’s a nice, pleasant spring evening here. Temperatures are in the low 30s-32 to be exact - with not much humidity, and at this time of year it’s normally ideal for playing cricket. The ground dimensions are 72 meters straight down the ground, 67 one side and 64 the other, so if you want to play the ramps and target the shorter boundary, that’s the way to go. It’s pitch number five, the same surface used when South Africa played India here in December - India made 236 and South Africa replied with 210. If you look at the numbers, it’s the highest-scoring surface in India with an average first-innings score of 192, so you’d say it’s a bit of a belter. Having had a close look, it seems to have a little less grass than in the other games, it’s completely black soil with no red involved whatsoever, and there are more cracks visible on this surface. I think it’s going to be a good pitch throughout, but with the river so close to the ground, the only concern is whether dew could play a part later on - so there could well be an advantage to batting second.
 

Aiden Markram (South Africa Captain): We are going to bat first. It looks like a really good wicket - a lot drier than the previous one we came across here - so we’re not expecting that early tackiness. We think it’s going to be a good surface throughout, and hopefully we can put a nice big score on the board. The boys are in good touch, which is always a blessing. We’re not taking that for granted, but it’s a good space to be in at the moment. The guys have been putting in a lot of work behind the scenes to maintain that form and confidence. We’ve been fortunate to play a couple of games here before. It’s a different wicket this time - black soil - but generally this is a high-scoring ground and an entertaining venue. As players, that’s what you look forward to being part of, and hopefully tonight is no different. From the previous game, we’ve made four changes to go back to our usual XI - Keshav (Maharaj) comes back in, Lungi (Ngidi) comes back in, Marco (Jansen) comes back in, and David (Miller) comes back in as well.”

Suryakumar Yadav (India Captain): I was actually looking to bat first, but it’s okay. We played here two or three days back and when they were bowling first, there was a little bit in the wicket, so why not take that advantage? It’s a big game, a great occasion for everyone to step up and show their character. It’s a full house tonight, hopefully, and we’ve got a good game for them. It’s the business end now, so you’ve got to bring your A-game. We do have three league games, but you have to deliver that punch from ball one, and I think tonight is the right time. We’ll look to bring good energy on the field, follow our good habits, and take whatever result comes our way. The pitch looks quite similar to the previous black soil surface we played on, just one strip away, not too much change. We’re happy to bowl first. It’s very harsh on Axar Patel, but we’re going with the same team - just a tactical decision, so no changes from the last game.

It's a bit of a surprise from India as they decide to name an unchanged team which means vice-captain Axar Patel continues to sit out for Washington Sundar. 

South Africa meanwhile have made four changes from their previous game which isn't much of a surprise considering that was a dead-rubber against UAE. 

India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy. 

South Africa (Playing XI): Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi.
 

Aiden Markram wins the Toss and announces that his team will bat first in Ahmedabad. 

It's going to be the first time that we'll see India chasing in the tournament. 

We're moments away from the decisive Toss in Ahmedabad with the captains Suryakumar Yadav and Aiden Markram making their way out to the middle. It'll be interesting to see what the captain winning the toss decides to do and how both skippers read the conditions. 

There aren't many changes expected across both teams. India will likely stick to the side that featured against the Netherlands, with Axar Patel coming back in to replace Washington Sundar. South Africa, meanwhile will be expected to bring back Lungi Ngidi, who has been seen bowling on the practice pitches. 

England have put in a statement performance with the ball to dismantle the co-hosts Sri Lanka in front of their stunned home fans at the Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy. 

After being restricted to just 146/9 in their quota of 20 overs, England fought back in the powerplay, with Jofra Archer (2/20) and Will Jacks (3/22) combining to reduce Sri Lanka to 34/5. 

Liam Dawson (2/27) and Adil Rashid (2/13) accounted for the final two wickets, hitting the stumps of Dushmantha Chameera and Dilshan Madushanka to secure a statement 51-run victory. 

England will be glad with that performance as they leave with the full quota of two points and a welcome boost to their Net Run Rate ( 2.55) which may prove decisive later on in the tournament. 

Sri Lanka have lost two wickets in very contrasting fashion as England tighten their stranglehold on this game. 

Dushan Hemantha fell in the 12th over after getting hit on the arm by Jamie Overton and then absentmindedly breaking the stumps with his bat. 

Will Jacks, who has been excellent in this game, then produced a moment of brilliance at the edge of the ropes in the 15th over to end the Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka's stay. Jacks took a leaping catch while running backwards and then relayed the ball back to Tom Banton before his momentum took him off the field. 

Sri Lanka are reeling at 86/8 after 15 overs with 61 needed off the final 30 balls. 

While Ahmedabad is usually synonymous with high-scoring night games and a strong "bat-first" bias, tonight’s surface comes with a caveat.

Unlike the "batting paradises" often seen in the IPL, this match will be played on a traditional black-soil track. Reports from the ground indicate that while the bounce will be true, the surface is expected to be slower than usual, particularly as the match progresses. India played Netherlands on a similar black soil pitch which provides a good reference point for today.

Interestingly, while these surfaces are known to assist spinners, it may also have something in it for the seamers as the ball could skid along the surface. On this surface 175-180 could be a formidable total.  

Sri Lanka are caught in a well constructed web laid out by the English spinners in Pallekele who have reduced them to 56/6 after 10 overs. 

Will Jacks (3/22) picked up his third of the night in the 6th over, getting rid of Dunith Wellalage and Liam Dawson opened his account in the 9th over, taking a sharp return catch to dismiss Kamindu Mendis. 

Sri Lanka need 91 runs from 60 balls to win with just four wickets in hand. Currently they have their skipper Dasun Shanaka (11*) and Dushan Hemantha (2*) carrying the hopes of the nation in the middle. 

If there’s one player who thrives when that 'ring of fire' of LED lights power up in Ahmedabad, it’s Hardik Pandya. 

The last time these two teams met in a T20I here (December 19, 2025), Hardik was absolutely destructive. He smashed a 16-ball fifty, the third-fastest for India, finishing with an explosive 63 off 25 balls. 

With the Indian top-order not yet showing it's full potential, Hardik may once again play a big-role against a familiar rival.

Nets turn into a highlight reel as Kung-Fu Pandya unleashes pure power ahead of Team India’s Super 8 clash vs South Africa. 🔥

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup SUPER 8 👉 #INDvSA | SUN, 22 FEB, 6 PM pic.twitter.com/wN7o6ySC9y

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 20, 2026

The 'Crosshairs' have shifted! After squeezing England for 20 overs, Sri Lanka are now left gasping for some air as Jofra Archer and Will Jacks have tormented the co-hosts in the Powerplay

The pacer and spinner have picked up two wickets each to reduce Sri Lanka to 25/4 after 5 overs.

Archer struck first, getting rid of Pathum Nissanka in the 3rd over. Jacks then took two-in-two, sending back Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake off consecutive deliveries in the next over. Archer returned to get rid of the other opener in the 5th over with the equation completely changing inside the powerplay.

Sri Lanka need 125 runs in 90 balls, but with their top order back in the shed, the mission now looks like a steep mountain to climb. 

The air in Ahmedabad will carry the weight of history tonight, especially for the Proteas who suffered heartbreak the last time these two sides met in the T20 World Cup, competing for the trophy in the Final at Barbados in 2024. 

South Africa seemed to be in cruise control in that game at the 15th over mark with 30 runs needed off the final 30 balls and a rampaging Heinrich Klassen and an equally belligerent David Miller at the crease. However, two surgical overs by Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya getting rid of Klaasen turned the tide. 

Suryakumar Yadav's miraculous catch on the long-off boundary to dismiss David Miller at the start of the final will remain the defining image of that game as India sealed a 7-run victory, lifting their second T20 World Cup title. It also extended South Africa's wait for a first-ever World Cup trophy. 

More recently, these two teams met in a five-match T20I series played in India in December 2025. India won the series 3-1. The final game of that series was played at today's venue, where India riding on Tilak Varma's 73 off 42 balls and Hardik Pandya's 63 off just 25 balls, posted 231/5. 

Varun Chakravarthy then took 4/53 in the second innings with Bumrah posting excellent figures too of 2/17 in a high-scoring game as India won by 30 runs. 

India and South Africa also faced each other in a warm-up game at the DY Patil Stadium ahead of the World Cup where Ishan Kishan blazed his way to a 20-ball 53 before retiring out. Tilak Varma scored 45 off 19 balls as India posted 240/5. 

Ryan Rickelton (44) and Tristan Stubbs (45*) fought back for the Proteas but they fell short by 30 runs with India restricting them to 210/7. 

England have finished with an under-par score at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy as the co-hosts Sri Lanka have restricted them to just 146/9 after 20 overs. 

Phil Salt (62) was the sole bright spot for England, with their next highest-scorer being Will Jacks (21) as just five batters managed to get into double-digit figures. 

Dunith Wellalage (3/26), Maheesh Theekshana (2/21) and Dilsan Madushanka (2/25) all exploited the conditions perfectly not allowing the English batters to settle at the crease. 

Sri Lanka will fancy their chances of chasing down this total, considering they comfortably chased down Australia's 181 at this very venue last week, with 8 wickets and 12 balls to spare. 

The India-New Zealand T20I series in India produced six 200-plus scores in just five matches. At the T20 World Cup 2026, 170 has become par, with the 200-plus mark breached just seven times in 40 matches. 

India themselves have only managed to cross the 200-mark once so far in the tournament, when they posted 209/9 against Namibia. With all the pre-tournament hype being centered around whether India will become the first team cross the 300-run mark in the tournament, we look at whether it's the ICC's pitches that have slowed down the formidable Indian Run Machine or whether there are other factors at play here. 

Read the full story here -T20 World Cup 2026: Have ICC Pitches Slowed Down India's Run Machine? The Numbers Say Yes

Co-hosts Sri Lanka look like a team on a mission in the tournament and it looks like England are set to become their latest victims. After ending Australia's hopes of qualifying earlier this week at this very venue, Sri Lanka is playing with a swagger in Pallekele, using their understanding of the surface to perfection. 

Dasun Shanaka won the toss and put England in to bat first. The plan seems to be working to a tee with only Phil Salt (62 off 40 balls) registering a meaningful score at the top of the order. 

Dunith Wellalage has been the tormentor in chief for England taking 3/26 as the Three Lions find themselves struggling at 106/6 after 15 overs. 

With Will Jacks and Liam Dawson at the crease, England will be hoping they'll add some much needed runs at the death to give their bowlers something to defend. 

Neither of these two teams have tasted defeat so far in this edition of the tournament. India are on a record winning streak in the T20 World Cup that began in the previous edition under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. 

The Men in Blue won all eight matches during the 2024 World Cup and have begin this edition in similar fashion with four wins out of four. Suryakumar Yadav's side will be looking to extend that record winning streak to 13 games. 

South Africa were on an eight-game winning streak in the T20 World Cup themselves until they were beaten by India at the 2024 Final. The Proteas have once again entered this tournament in top form winning all four of their games comfortably, including a dominant victory against New Zealand in the group phase.  

With the group stage complete, the tournament now moves into its decisive phase. The remaining eight teams have been split into two groups of four each, playing the others in a round-robin format.

The top two sides from each group will advance to the semi-finals, while the rest will exit the competition. With only three matches per team in this phase, the margin for error is minimal. Every result thus carries qualification implications.

India and South Africa will begin their Super 8 campaigns aware that an early win could shape the path to the knockouts.