India’s first match in Super-8 with South Africa, there can be a big change in the playing-11

Ahmedabad. The first match of the Indian team in the Super-8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be played against South Africa on Sunday, February 22 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad at 7 pm Indian time. The Indian team will be captained by Suryakumar Yadav, while South Africa will be commanded by Aiden Markram. This match will be reminiscent of the final of T20 World Cup 2024.

Defending champion India will enter the field with four consecutive wins, while South Africa is also maintaining its four-match winning streak. However, the Indian team has faced a little challenge against spin bowling in this tournament. In such a situation, South African spinners George Linde and Keshav Maharaj will try to take advantage of this weakness of the Indian batsmen.

Changes in Indian team

Vice-captain Akshar Patel was rested in the match against Netherlands, but his return to the playing-11 is certain in this important match of Super-8. Due to Akshar’s play, all-rounder Washington Sundar will have to sit out. Even though opener Abhishek Sharma could not open his account in the last three matches, the team management has faith in him.

South Africa rested four key players—Keshav Maharaj, Marco Janssen, Lungi Ngidi and David Miller—in their last group match against UAE. Now all these players will return in the Super-8 match.

Probable playing-11

India: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shivam Dubey, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakraborty.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brewis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Janssen, Corbin Bosch/George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi.

HEAD TO HEAD STATS:

Total T20I matches: 35
India’s win: 21
South Africa’s win: 13
Tie: 0
Inconclusive: 1

This match between India and South Africa is not only the beginning of the Super-8, but will also be an opportunity to test the winning streak and strategy of both the teams.