Proteas crush India by 76 runs to seize Super Eight control

By SABC Sport
22nd February 2026

South Africa delivered a statement performance in Ahmedabad, overwhelming defending champions India by 76 runs in their Super 8 opener at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

The emphatic victory ended India's 13-match unbeaten streak in T20 World Cups and handed the Proteas early control of Group 1 in what many had billed as a potential final rehearsal.

After being asked to bat, South Africa were rocked early as Jasprit Bumrah tore through the top order. The fast bowler produced a searing spell of 3-15, dismissing Quinton de Kock with a delivery that clipped the top of middle stump and deceiving Ryan Rickelton with a cleverly disguised slower ball. At 20-3 inside four overs, India appeared firmly in command.

But the tide turned dramatically through a superb counterattack led by David Miller. The left-hander unfurled a range of crisp cuts, pulls and lofted drives in a blistering 63 off 35 balls. Alongside the fearless Dewald Brevis, who struck 45 from 29 deliveries, Miller added 97 for the fourth wicket to rebuild the innings and seize momentum during the middle overs.

Even when both set batters fell in quick succession, South Africa finished powerfully. Tristan Stubbs provided the decisive flourish, smashing an unbeaten 44 and plundering 20 runs from the final over bowled by Hardik Pandya to lift the total to an imposing 187-7.

India's chase faltered almost immediately. Captain Aiden Markram struck in the opening over to remove Ishan Kishan, while Marco Jansen exploited bounce and movement to reduce the hosts to 5-2. The collapse deepened to 51-5 by the 10th over, extinguishing realistic hopes of a recovery.

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj then ripped through the middle order with three wickets in the 15th over, and Jansen returned to finish with four as India were bowled out for 111, Shivam Dube's 42 offering scant resistance.

South Africa now sit firmly atop the group and face West Indies and Zimbabwe knowing another win could secure a semi-final berth. India, stunned on home soil, must regroup quickly with their qualification hopes suddenly hanging in the balance.