IND vs SA, T20 World Cup: South Africa humble India by 76 runs to inflict heaviest defeat

India are bowled out for 111. The 12-match winning streak in T20 World Cup comes to an end as India suffer a humbling defeat to South Africa by 76 runs. This is India's heaviest defeat in a T20 World Cup by runs.

South Africa dominated with the bat after the powerplay and despite Jasprit Bumrah's brilliance, found a way to score 187/7. The target was always going to be a challenge. And the poor opening from India for a fourth consecutive game hurt them. Tilak Varma was once again out of sorts and so was Suryakumar Yadav. Shivam Dube tried his best but he never stood a chance. India take on Zimbabwe next, and they will not only need to win but also improve their net run rate.

India extend their tally of ducks to 10 as Rinku Singh departs for 0, trying to go after Keshav Maharaj.

Keshav Maharaj removes Hardik Pandya. The hopes are fading quickly as India lose Hardik Pandya for 18 off 17. Hardik needed to step up and as he did, he gave away a catch at the boundary line.

India need 102 runs more in the last six overs with Rinku Singh yet to come. It's mission impossible at the moment. But if Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube accelarate, India might get to the target.

Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya have stopped the slide momentarily, but the target is far, far away. India need 10 runs in the last 42 balls at 15.29 runs per over from now on.

The hopes of chasing down 188 is evaporating with every over. Corbin Bosch removes Suyrakumar Yadav to reduce India to 51/4. SKY tried to whip on the leg side but ended up edging it to Dewald Brevis for an easy catch. At the halfway stage, India are 57/3 with 130 runs still needed off the last 60 balls.

India sent Washington Sundar ahead but that promotion did not work out. Sundar departs for 11 as tries to go after Corbin Bosch, only to edge it to the keeper. India are in a spot of bother now.

Abhishek Sharma did not score a duck today but did not manage to capitalise either. Abhishek falls for 15 as he tries to take on Marco Jansen on a knuckle-ball. Corbin Bosch takes an excellent catch as India lose their 3rd wicket for 26.

Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav are leading India's recovery after two early blows. The two haven't had smooth sailing.

India now have the most ducks in this T20 World Cup. Abhishek Sharma has 3 of them.

Most Ducks in T20 World Cup 2026

• 9: India
• 8: Italy
• 7: Oman
• 6: Pakistan

India have been dealt a double blow, just like South Africa. After Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma falls for 1 as Marco Jansen strikes in the first ball. India 5/2.

It's either Abhishek Sharma or Ishan Kishan, India have lost at least one opener for a duck in this T20 World Cup. Today, it's Ishan Kishan as he goes for a duck. India 0/1.

The World No 1 T20I batter, Abhishek Sharma, has scored three ducks in a row in this T20 World Cup. Will he open his account today? India need a good start to chase this target down.

Team	Score	Target	Opposition	Date
South Africa	178/3	176	New Zealand	14 Feb 2026
India	166/3	165	England	14 Mar 2021
England	158/2	157	India	16 Mar 2021
England	130/2	125	India	12 Mar 2021

India need a record chase in Ahmedabad in T20Is to win their first Super 8 clash as South Africa post 187/7, with Hardik Pandya ends up conceding 20 runs in the last over. After David Miller (63 off 35) and Dewald Brevis (45 off 29), Tristan Stubbs finished with a 24-ball 44, smashing two sixes and a four in the last over.

Jasprit Bumrah strikes in the 19th over as Corbin Bosch hits it straight to him on the follow-through. Umpire was not sure and referred it upstairs. The replays made it clear. Bumrah bags his 3rd wicket. Bumrah finishes his spell with 3/15.

Most wickets in T20 World Cups for India

• 33: Jasprit Bumrah
• 32: Arshdeep Singh
• 32: R Ashwin
• 29: Hardik Pandya
• 22: Ravindra Jadeja

India are pulling the strings now as Arshdeep Singh comes back in the attack to dismiss his Punjab Kings teammate Marco Jansen for 2. Jansen tried to smash one but had no timing and gave away an easy catch to Rinku Singh.

Jansen is out in the middle, against Bumrah. And it is a mighty good over as only 5 runs come from it. A comeback of sorts for India.

Finally David Miller is done. Varun Chakravarthy has a wicket here as he gets the left-hander for 63 from 35. The damage has been inflicted though. SA 152/5

Most consecutive innings picking a wicket in T20Is for India

• 18: Varun Chakaravarthy (2025-26)
• 17: Arshdeep Singh (2024-25)
• 13: Ashish Nehra (2016)
• 11: Washington Sundar (2024-25)
• 11: Varun Chakaravarthy (2024-25)

Miller has single-handedly troubled the Indians, like he does so often in the T20 World Cups. No wonder they need his wicket badly. Still and excellent wicket to bat on. SA 144/4 in 15 overs.

David Miller takes on Shivam Dube for a six on the free hit to bring up his half-century off 26 balls. This is his 9th T20I fifty and 3rd against India and in the T20 World Cup.

Dewald Brevis just hit his CSK teammate Shivam Dube for a six but then he tried another and did not time it right. As a result, the ball was safely deposited in Abhishek Sharma's hands. The 97-run stand is broken as Brevis falls for 29-ball 45.

Dewald Brevis punishes Shivam Dube with a six and a four as he concedes 15 runs in the 11th over.

Halfway through and South Africa have recovered from 20/3 to 77/3, thanks to David Miller's counter-attacking batting. Dewald Brevis has struggled so far but he is also slowly breaking the shackles.

Dewald Brevis smashes Varun Chakaravarthy for a no-look six over the long on to bring up 50-run stand with David Miller. The two have rescued South Africa from 20/3.

Varun Chakaravarthy bowled in the slot and David Miller hammered it for a 95m six. Miller hasn't felt the pressure so far as he is striking well with 17-ball 31.

India have brought in Washington Sundar as South Africa have three left-handers. But one of them, David Miller, has hit him for a four after Dewald Brevid did the same. Washington Sundar conceded 11 runs in his first over.

It was supposed to be South Africa's powerplay but it belonged to India. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh struck thrice to remove the Top 3, including Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickleton. However, David Miller has taken charge with counter-attacking batting. Dewald Brevis is with him on the crease as South Africa score 41/3 in the powerplay.

With India introducing Varun Chakaravarthy, David Miller has scored two boundaries to kee the run rate up.

Change in pace and almost an off-spin delivery by Jasprit Bumrah and Ryan Rickleton failed to read that. That loose shot went to Shivam Dube for an easy catch. South Africa lose their 3rd wicket for 20.

Indian pacers have dealt a double blow. After Jasprit Bumrah cleaned up Quinton de Kock, Arshdeep Singh has removed the other opener, Aiden Markram, in his second over. Markram tried to smash it over the cover but did not get any elevation on the over-pitched delivery and Hardik Pandya took the easy catch. South Africa 12/2 in 2.4.

Jasprit Bumrah has the last laugh as he cleans up Quinton De Kock. The Protean tried to slog but missed it completely and Bumrah castled him. South Africa 10/1.

First boundary for South Africa after Jasprit Bumrah missed his yorker and instead bowled a full toss delivery. Quinton De Kock had no problem smashing it past the cover for a four.

Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock begin for South Africa. Arshdeep Singh will bowl the opening over for India.

It's time for the national anthems as both teams line up in the middle. South Africa first, followed by India.

South Africa have made four changes with Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen and David Miller all coming back. 

Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

India have gone unchanged in Ahmedabad. That means vice-captain Axar Patel has been dropped to the bench in favour of Washington Sundar.

Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan(w), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy

South Africa captain Aiden Markram has won the toss and opted to bat. India have gone unchanged, while South Africa have made four changes after resting and rotating in their last match.

The pitch at Narendra Modi Stadium is generally batting-friendly, especially in night matches, with true bounce and even pace on black-soil surfaces. Batters get good value for shots once set, and short boundaries aid big scores. The average first innings total is around 190 in T20Is at this venue. It offers balanced contest early, but dew often makes chasing easier in the second innings. Recent games have seen high totals (200+), favouring teams batting second or stroke-makers. Spinners may get grip later, but expect a high-scoring game unless bowlers exploit early conditions.

India dominate overall and in T20 World Cups (5 wins to SA's 2 in 7 meetings), including knockout victories in 2014 semis and 2024 final. South Africa are yet to beat India in a World Cup knockout.

• Total Matches: 35
• India Won: 21
• South Africa Won: 13
• No Result: 1

South Africa will be more confident in Ahmedabad, having played three matches in Ahmedabad so far on two different surfaces. That experience will work in their favour. In addition, South Africa have been working in the nets to expose India’s off-spin weakness. 

However, their batting will also need to be looked at. Even though South Africa have scored two 200+ totals in Ahmedabad in this T20 World Cup, their batters will be tested by India’s quality bowling attack.

Despite hiccups, Team India have maintained an all-win record. But that could be down to the quality of opponents in the group stage. The biggest confidence booster for India was their dominating win over Pakistan. But now, in Super 8, India will be tested on sluggish pitches. 

The biggest boost for India has been the contribution from all. Someone has stepped up in every match. But with Abhishek Sharma struggling with his form, scoring a hat-trick of ducks, India haven’t had the explosive starts so far. In the bowling department, India’s go-to man in the bowling department has been Varun Chakaravarthy, and he will be key against South Africa.