Published: February 22, 2026 at 11:08 pm
South Africa snapped India’s 12-match winning streak at the T20 World Cup as they handed the defending champions a 76-run defeat in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
With David Miller leading the charge, the Proteas recovered from 20 for 3 to post a challenging 187 for 7 in 20 overs. The South African bowlers then delivered a masterclass of restrained aggression, dismissing India for 111 in 18.5 overs and completing a dominant victory.
“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. 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,” said Miller, who was named the Player of the Match.
It was a repeat of the 2024 T20 World Cup final, and both teams were unbeaten in this edition so far. But one of them had to give in. And it was the co-hosts who dominated the first half-hour of the contest, as Jasprit Bumrah produced a stellar opening spell of 2 for 7 in two overs. He finished with figures of 3 for 15, taking over as India’s highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cups with 33 scalps during the match.
South Africa script a comeback
The Proteas scripted a comeback through a 97-run partnership (off 51 balls) between David Miller and Dewald Brevis. South Africa took on the spinners, scoring 50 runs off five overs from Varun Chakaravarthy and Washington Sundar.
Shivam Dube gave India the breakthrough, as he had Brevis miscue a shot to Abhishek Sharma at deep mid-wicket. Brevis put on 45 with the help of three fours and three sixes to give his team the necessary momentum.
ICC chair Jay Shah and Google CEO Sundar Pichai attended the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super 8 match between India and South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Pichai was also present on the field during the pre-match proceedings. Google Pixel, Google’s flagship smartphone brand, is an official partner of the tournament, further highlighting the collaboration between global technology leaders and international cricket
Meanwhile, Miller brought up his fifty with a six over off a free hit. He scored 63 off 35 balls, with the help of seven fours and three sixes. Chakaravarthy was expensive on Sunday, going at 11.75 an over, but he struck back with the important wicket of Miller.
A late charge from Tristan Stubbs, who knocked off an unbeaten 44 off 24 balls, took South Africa past the 180-mark.
“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 competition 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,” said South Africa captain Aiden Markram.
On facing West Indies, Markram said: “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.”
In response, India failed to launch in the first six overs and were already in trouble at 31 for 3 after powerplay. Though Abhishek Sharma finally got off the mark, after three successive ducks in the tournament, he fell for 15. Corbin Bosch held on to brilliant running catch, despite colliding with teammate Keshav Maharaj, to dismiss the southpaw.
South Africa kept a lid on the explosive, and deep running, Indian batting line up. Dube, who had brought the fireworks during India’s big win over the Netherlands at the same venue a few nights ago, was the only one with a substantial contribution, scoring 42.
For the Proteas, the pacers delivered in a clutch match, varying their pace brilliantly to keep the batters guessing. Lungi Ngidi conceded only 15 runs in his four overs, Marco Jansen was superb up front, dismissing Sharma and Tilak Varma, to finish with figures of 4 for 22 and Corbin Bosch claimed 2 for 12 in three overs.
Keshav Maharaj conceded a few runs, but snapped three wickets, including that of the dangerous Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh within the space of three balls.
We will learn from it, says Suryakumar
“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,” said India skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
On Arshdeep and Bumrah, he said: “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, Suryakumar said: “Hopefully bat well, bowl well and field well. Keep it simple. That is what we will try to do.”
Brief scores: South Africa 187 for seven in 20 overs (Dewald Brevis 45, David Miller 63, Tristan Stubbs 44; Jasprit Bumrah 3/15, Arshdeep Singh 2/28) beat India 111 in 18.5 overs (Shivam Dube 42; Marco Jansen 4/22, Keshav Maharaj 3/24, Corbin Bosch 2/12).
