NEW DELHI: The one-dimensional “attack at all cost” approach of the Indian batting lineup was completely laid bare as the hosts suffered a heavy 76-run defeat against South Africa in their opening Super Eights match of the T20 World Cup on Sunday.
While four consecutive wins in the group stage had hidden their weaknesses, the Indian batters completely faltered on a slightly sluggish pitch that demanded patience and application.
South Africa win by 76 runs in Ahmedabad. #TeamIndia set their sights on a turnaround in the next game.
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/ZE8J4fF18z#T20WorldCup | #MenInBlue | #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/xBIBwjEEmF
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 22, 2026
This loss, India’s first since the 2022 semi-final defeat to England, leaves their Super Eights group wide open. Their remaining games against Zimbabwe (February 26) and West Indies (March 1) are now virtually must-win encounters if they are to secure a place in the last four.
Proteas bowlers dominate
Jasprit Bumrah (3/15 in 4 overs) produced a superb spell, but India’s inept batting ensured his efforts were in vain as the team was bowled out for a paltry 111 in 18.5 overs chasing 188.
South Africa’s pace-spin duo led the destruction. Marco Jansen (4/22), Keshav Maharaj (3/24) and Corbin Bosch (2/12) collectively tore through the Indian lineup. Meanwhile, David Miller (63 off 35) and Dewald Brevis (45 off 29) anchored the Proteas innings alongside Tristan Stubbs (44 not out) while also keeping Varun Chakravarthy (1/47 in 4 overs) largely ineffective.
Indian batting collapse
India’s top order never got going. Ishan Kishan fell for a duck to Markram’s clever delivery that stopped sharply, while Tilak Varma (1) lasted just two balls. Abhishek Sharma (15) struggled before being undone by Jansen’s clever knuckle ball.
Suryakumar Yadav (18 off 22) couldn’t find rhythm on a tricky surface, and his dismissal off Bosch, flicking to mid-wicket, epitomized India’s misjudgments. At 51 for 5, the contest was effectively over, though Hardik Pandya (18 off 17) and Shivam Dube (42 off 37) attempted a minor recovery.
Miller shines but efforts wasted
Earlier, David Miller rolled back the years with an aggressive 63, supported by Brevis’s 45. Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh (2/28) had reduced South Africa to 20 for 3 inside the first four overs, but the Proteas counter-attack lifted them to a total of 187 for seven in 20 overs.
Despite Bumrah’s brilliance, including a third wicket in his later overs, India’s batting failure meant the score remained well within South Africa’s reach, leaving the hosts staring down a humiliating defeat.
(With PTI Inputs)
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