South Africa handed defending champions India a significant defeat in their Super 8 match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, beating the hosts by 76 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Electing to bat first, South Africa recovered from an early collapse to post a competitive 187 for 7 in their 20 overs, powered by a key 97-run partnership and a brisk 63 from David Miller. In reply, India’s batting lineup struggled to build momentum and were dismissed for 111 in 18.5 overs as South African bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings.
Match summary and key performances
South Africa’s innings began shakily at 20 for 3, but the middle order steadied the ship with crucial runs that propelled their total into a strong range for a T20 match. David Miller’s aggressive knock and Tristan Stubbs’ late-innings acceleration helped set a challenging target for India.
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In the chase, Indian batters could not find consistency against disciplined South African bowling. Aiden Markram’s tactical use of spin and pace bowled early breakthroughs, and Marco Jansen picked up four wickets to stifle India’s efforts. The result marked India’s first defeat in this edition of the World Cup after a long unbeaten run.
Implications for Super 8 standings
The loss places pressure on India’s campaign in the Super 8 stage, where net run rate and match results will be crucial for semifinal qualification. South Africa’s convincing win bolsters their own title aspirations and underscores their competitive form in the tournament’s advanced phase.
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