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India's T20 WC Hopes Dented After 76-Run Thumping By South Africa

South Africa handed defending champions India a crushing 76-run defeat in the Super Eights, ending India's 12-match winning streak in the tournament. Chasing 188, India collapsed to 111 all out after a disastrous start, with only Shivam Dube offering resistance. The loss severely complicates India's path to the semifinals, forcing them to win both remaining matches to guarantee qualification. The team's net run rate has plummeted to -3.8, echoing a precarious scenario similar to their 2012 World Cup exit.

Key Points: India's T20 WC Semifinal Path in Jeopardy After SA Loss

  • India's 12-match T20 WC win streak snapped
  • SA's Miller-Brevis 97-run partnership pivotal
  • India's net run rate plummets to -3.8
  • Must win both remaining matches to guarantee semis
2 min read

T20 WC: India's 76-run defeat to South Africa complicates their path to semi-finals

South Africa defeats India by 76 runs in T20 World Cup Super Eights, snapping India's 12-match win streak and complicating their semifinal qualification.

"a tournament that once seemed destined to end in glory on home soil has suddenly taken a dramatically uncertain turn - Report"

Ahmedabad, Feb 22

South Africa handing India a 76-run defeat in their Super Eights clash in 2026 Men's T20 World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday snapped the defending champions' 12-match winning streak in the mega event and plunged their semifinal aspirations into serious doubt.

In a rematch of the 2024 T20 World Cup final, the Proteas recovered from early adversity to post 187/7 before dismissing India for just 111 in 18.5 overs. South Africa's innings appeared to be unravelling when Jasprit Bumrah produced a ferocious opening spell of 2-7 in his first two overs, and reduced the Proteas to 20/3.

Though Bumrah finished with 3-15, and surpassed Ravichandran Ashwin to become India's all-time leading wicket-taker at T20 World Cups with 33 scalps, David Miller (63) and Dewald Brevis (45) took the game away from India with a breathtaking 97-run partnership off just 51 balls. Tristan Stubbs then hammered an unbeaten 44 off 24 balls to carry South Africa to 187/7.

India's first run chase in this World Cup began disastrously and never recovered as at the end of the powerplay, they were in tatters at 31/3. Shivam Dube top-scored with 42 but received little support from the middle order, as South Africa's pace attack was relentless, led by Marco Jansen's 4-22, varied their lengths and speeds well to annihilate India's batting line-up.

The heavy defeat leaves India's path to the semifinals considerably more complicated. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side must now win both of their remaining Super Eights matches to guarantee a place in the final four - against Zimbabwe in Chennai on February 26 and West Indies in Kolkata on March 1.

Should India win only one of those matches, their qualification will hinge entirely on other results and net run rate - a precarious position for a side that arrived at this stage as heavy favourites and defending champions. As of now, India's net run rate is at -3.8.

A similar situation unfolded for India in 2012 T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, where a nine-wicket loss to Australia pushed their net run rate into negative and despite two wins, they never recovered enough to get into semi-finals. For India, a tournament that once seemed destined to end in glory on home soil has suddenly taken a dramatically uncertain turn after being totally outplayed by the Proteas.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Watching from the US. Miller and Brevis were phenomenal. That partnership changed everything. India's bowling looked toothless after the powerplay. The pressure is really on now for the remaining matches.
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Ananya R
We can still do it! Two wins and we're through. Yes, the NRR is a big hole to climb out of, but this team has bounced back before. Time for SKY and the boys to show some character. #Believe 🇮🇳
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Vikram M
With all due respect, the team selection and batting order need a hard look. Why are we so rigid? The approach seems outdated when teams like SA are playing fearless cricket. We were outplayed in every department after the first 6 overs.
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Kavya N
The loss hurts, but congrats to Bumrah for becoming our leading wicket-taker! A silver lining in a dark cloud. Now we need to win big against Zimbabwe to fix that NRR. Come on, India!
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Michael C
As a neutral fan, that was a masterclass in death bowling by South Africa. Jansen was brilliant. India's batting just had no answer to the change of pace. The tournament just got a lot more interesting!
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Priya S

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