In the T20 World Cup 2026 match against Team India, South Africa emerged victorious by 76 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
22 February,2026 10:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn the Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa, Team India lost crucial wickets at regular intervals. So far, having completed 10 overs in the second essay, the "Men in Blue" have reached the score of 57 runs for the loss of five wickets. Opening batsman Ishan Kishan departed on a four-ball duck. Fellow opening batsman Abhishek Sharma managed to score 15 runs in 12 balls, including two boundaries and a maximum. After three consecutive ducks, the left-handed batsman registered his first runs in the ongoing global showpiece. Tilak Varma scored one run in two balls. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav played a knock of 18 runs in 22 balls, with the help of two boundaries. Facing 11 balls, Washington Sundar scored 11 runs, with the help of a maximum. Star all-rounders Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya are unbeaten at the crease and are trying to help the "Men in Blue" chase the target. It will be interesting to see if the duo manage to take the team home. So far, South Africa's Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch claimed two wickets each. Skipper Aiden Markram has also bagged one wicket. Earlier, having opted to bat first, skipper Aiden Markram scored four runs in seven balls. Wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock scored six runs in seven balls, including a boundary. Ryan Rickelton was also dismissed for seven runs in seven balls. His knock also included a maximum. Later, Dewald Brevis garnered 45 runs after facing 29 balls. His knock also saw him smash three boundaries and the same number of maximums. David Miller also accumulated 63 runs off just 35 deliveries, laced with seven boundaries and three maximums. Facing 24 balls, Tristan Stubbs scored an unbeaten 44 runs, including a boundary and three maximums. With this, the Proteas posted a total of 187 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. Team India's lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah returned with the figures of three wickets for 15 runs in four overs. Arshdeep Singh also bagged two wickets by conceding 28 runs in his spell of four overs. Varun Chakaravarthy and Shivam Dube also chipped in with one wicket each.
22 February,2026 10:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn the Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2026 against Sri Lanka, England emerged victorious by 51 runs at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. In an attempt to chase a target of 147 runs, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 95 runs in 16.4 overs. Opening the innings, Pathum Nissanka was dismissed for nine runs in eight balls, including two boundaries. Kamil Mishara scored six runs in 11 balls, including a boundary. Wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis scored four runs in four balls, including a boundary. Pavan Rathnayake departed on a one-ball duck. Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis were dismissed for 10 and 13 runs, respectively. Wellalage's knock of 10 balls included two boundaries, whereas Mendis' innings of 11 balls included a boundary and a maximum. Skipper Dasun Shanaka played a knock of 30 runs off 24 deliveries, which was laced with a boundary and two maximums. Dushan Hemantha and Dushmantha Chameera returned to the pavilion on five and six runs, respectively. Dilshan Madushanka also departed on a two-ball duck. Maheesh Theekshana stayed unbeaten on 10 runs, which came in eight balls, with the help of a boundary. England's Will Jacks bagged three wickets by conceding 22 runs in four overs. Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, and Adil Rashid claimed two wickets each. Jamie Overton also chipped in with one wicket. Earlier, having put to bat first, England's opening batsman Phil Salt played a knock of 62 runs off 40 deliveries, which was laced with six boundaries and two maximums. Wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler scored seven runs in 14 balls. Jacob Bethell scored three runs in four balls. Tom Banton scored six runs in seven balls. Skipper Harry Brook accumulated 14 runs off seven balls, including a boundary. Facing 11 balls, Sam Curran scored 11 runs, with the help of a maximum. Will Jacks smashed 21 runs off 14 balls, laced with four boundaries. Liam Dawson scored six runs in 11 balls. Jamie Overton also stayed unbeaten on 10 runs in 10 balls, including a maximum. With this, the "Three Lions" posted a total of 146 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs. Sri Lanka's spinner Dunith Wellalage claimed three wickets for 26 runs in four overs. Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka registered two wickets each to their names. Dushmantha Chameera also picked up one wicket. Dushan Hemantha went wicketless in the T20 World Cup 2026 match against England.
22 February,2026 10:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn the Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2026 against Team India, South Africa skipper Aiden Markram has won the toss and elected to bat first at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. South Africa will enter the clash with four major changes. David Miller will come in place of Jason Smith, Kwena Maphaka will make way for Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj has replaced George Linde for the clash, and Lungi Ngidi will feature in the match by replacing Anrich Nortje. After winning the toss, South Africa's skipper Markram said, "At the toss, we’ve chosen to bat first. The wicket looks excellent, much drier than what we’ve seen here before, and it should stay good throughout the game. Hopefully, we can put a strong total on the board. The team is in good rhythm at the moment. It’s great to see several players in form. We’re definitely not getting ahead of ourselves, but it’s encouraging to see the hard work behind the scenes paying off. We’ve had the chance to play here before, although on different pitches, black-soil surfaces mostly. This venue usually produces high-scoring games, which is exactly the kind of contest players enjoy being a part of. As for the XI, we’ve returned to our standard lineup. We’ve made four changes from the previous match, Keshav, Lungi, Marco and Dave all come back into the side". On the other hand, Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav said, "To be honest, we were thinking of batting first as well, but no complaints. We played here a couple of days ago, and early on, there was something in the pitch when we bowled first. So we’re happy to make use of that movement upfront". "It’s a huge match, a great stage for everyone to step up and show what they’re made of. The atmosphere looks fantastic, probably a full house tonight, and we hope to put on the kind of cricket the fans are hoping for. Yes, we have three games in the Super 8s, but we want to start strongly, right from the first ball. Tonight is about keeping our energy high and sticking to the good habits we’ve built. The surface looks similar to the one we played on previously, so we’re comfortable bowling first. It feels tough on Axar Patel, but tactically we’re sticking with the same combination. No changes from the last match," he added. T20 World Cup 2026, IND vs SA: Confirmed Playing XI India: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah South Africa: Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi.
22 February,2026 09:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTeam India is all set to clash against South Africa in the Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2026. The match is scheduled to be played on Sunday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Ahead of the match, former Team India cricketer Irfan Pathan feels that pacer Lungi Ngidi will be a threat to the "Men in Blue". Speaking about the pacer, Pathan said that the South African's every delivery finishes near the stumps. "Lungi Ngidi bowls around 140 km/h, and his slower ones are around 110 km/h. That is a 30 km difference, which is big. One thing you notice is that every delivery he bowls finishes near the stumps. But more important is his release. Look at his action. When he is about to finish, the batter has already made up his mind that the ball will be quick," he said. He also said Ngidi manages to fool the batsmen without changing his action or arm speed while bowling slower balls. "There is no change in his action or arm speed. Then suddenly he delivers a slower ball. That is why he fools batters. They do not let the ball come to them; they push at it early. That is how he takes wickets with his slower balls. He is a big threat against Indian batters," said Pathan. South Africa finished at the top of Group D, after winning all four of their group stage matches against New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE and Canada. They will face the reigning champions, India, in the first Super Eight game at Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. After remaining unbeaten in Group A, the defending champions head into the Super Eight stage with confidence. T20 World Cup 2026, IND vs SA: Full Squads India: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan (WK), Rinku Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma. South Africa: David Miller, Quinton de Kock (WK), Keshav Maharaj, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Jason Smith, Anrich Nortje, Aiden Markram (C), Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Marco Jansen, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Kwena Maphaka. (With ANI Inputs)
22 February,2026 09:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTeam India is set to lock horns with South Africa in the Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2026. The match is scheduled to be played on Sunday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Ahead of the match, the cricket fans will keep a tab on Team India's swashbuckling opening batsman Abhishek Sharma. The left-handed batsman has been struggling to find himself among the runs. So far, he has registered three ducks in as many games. Speaking about his poor form, former Team India cricketer Irfan Pathan explained that Abhishek is trying to play across the wicket, and the bowlers are not giving him enough room to play comfortably. "Abhishek Sharma is getting out to off-spinners. Against Pakistan and the Netherlands, off-spinners got him. The problem lies in his shot selection. His bat comes down from a high angle, and he is not looking to hit straight. He is trying to play across the wicket. That is getting him into trouble. He moves his front foot away to create room, but bowlers are not giving him room. They are bowling wide, not close to him. These are not drivable balls. These are balls you either take a single on or, if you hold your shape, you can hit one-bounce fours. That is what Salman Ali Agha and Aryan Dutt bowled to him," he said. Ahead of the clash against South Africa, the former cricketer feels the Proteas will look to do the same against Abhishek. He also suggests that the 25-year-old cricketer needs to get the single and get off the mark, and then target the pacers later. "South Africa will do the same. His bat angle is coming across, which is natural to him. He does not need to change that. If he tries to change it now, it will be a mess. He has not scored runs. First things first, get a single, get off the mark. Expect the spinner to come in, get to the other end, and target the fast bowlers. When Markram comes on to bowl to him, he does not need to bludgeon from the first ball," said Pathan. India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan (WK), Rinku Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma. (With ANI Inputs)
22 February,2026 04:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn the 20 months since they played out an epic final in the previous T20 World Cup, India and South Africa have locked horns eight times. Suryakumar Yadav’s men have lorded those showdowns 6-2, winning by identical 3-1 margins in South Africa in November 2024 and at home last December. But neither that, nor the fact that India hold a significant 21-13 edge in head-to-heads, will count for anything here. Sunday will mark the first outing for both all-win sides in the Super Eights. South Africa have played here thrice previously in the last fortnight, but India know this venue extremely well, having had plenty of red and white-ball experience internationally and at the franchise level. There is no element of surprise on any front; the sides are familiar with each other’s brands of play as well as strengths and weaknesses. Sunday, therefore, will be decided by who plays better on the right night rather than any sleight of hand or a dramatic alteration in game plans. South Africa have been in prime form, brushing aside challengers New Zealand and Afghanistan in what was projected as the Group of Death. India haven’t yet touched top gear, but have still been unstoppable, showcasing their adaptability and the propensity to think on their feet on being greeted by pitches that have compelled them to dial down their all-out aggression to a significant degree. In their last three outings, India have found right-arm off-spin with the new ball a problem area, and they can expect to be tested up front with that variation by South African captain Aiden Markram. The onus will be on the left-handed opening duo of the irrepressible Ishan Kishan and the run-less Abhishek Sharma to undertake the twin responsibilities of assessing the conditions and relaying information back to the dugout, and getting on the bike and racing away if, for the first time in five games, they have a batting beauty to contend with. Abhishek’s tournament has yet to get going and if he is feeling self-imposed heat after a hat-trick of noughts, that’s perfectly understandable. But the opener has the total backing of the team management; there is also something to be said for the resilience of youth and the 25-year-old has revealed himself to be a sponge that can absorb pressure superbly. This is uncharted territory for him; expect a stirring riposte as India eye a winning start to their Super Eights campaign.
22 February,2026 09:42 AM IST | Ahmedabad | R KaushikIndia vice-captain Smriti Mandhana said the bold approach of Jemimah Rodrigues helped her find the perfect rhythm after a tepid beginning to the innings, which played a defining role in her side’s thrilling 17-run victory over Australia in the third and final T20I here on Saturday. Mandhana smashed 82 off 55 balls (8x4, 3x6), while Jemimah Rodrigues struck 59 off 46 deliveries as the two senior batters stitched a commanding 121-run stand to propel India to 176 for six after electing to bat. India’s bowlers then seized control as young spinner Shreyanka Patil (3-22) and pace spearhead Renuka Singh (1-29) ripped through the top order to leave Australia reeling at 32 for 3. The early strikes set the tone for a dominant display as India eventually restricted hosts to 159 for 9. Young left-arm spinner Shree Charani (3-32) underlined her credentials as well. “When she [Jemimah] came in, I think I was 16-ball 15 [runs] and still getting my timing and she came in, got three or four boundaries, got the momentum going and I could take some time,” Mandhana said in the post-match presentation. “Those small things don’t really get noticed, but I feel when she [Jemimah] came in and got those quick 2-3 boundaries, it calmed me down as well. So, credit to her for coming in and playing that sort of a knock,” said Mandhana about her innings, which helped India win its first T20I series Down Under after 2016. Mandhana said that beating Australia was a remarkable achievement but added that the team’s focus now shifts to their next challenge, the three-match ODI series starting in Brisbane on Tuesday. “It was good to contribute to the series win. Beating Australia in Australia is something really special. I’m really happy for the team and glad that I could contribute. Jemi coming in and making me run all those twos, but yeah, it’s a really good partnership between Jemi and me. “We did beat them in 2016 when we had come here, but I think we’ve played T20 after a very long time in Australia, so beating them is really nice, but we will move on to the ODI series and not celebrate too much,” added Mandhana. India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur praised Mandhana and Jemimah. “It [win] means a lot, it’s a complete team effort. So really good to see that everybody’s coming up and contributing. Every partnership was very important. That’s what we discussed in the team meetings, that we have to keep taking the responsibility. They both played a very big role,” she said. 2016The last time India defeated Aus women in a series Down Under — in T20Is by a 2-1 margin 9No of years since Australia women lost a white-ball series at home 8No of 50-plus scores for Smriti Mandhana vs Australia in WT20Is — the most by any player 121No of runs scored during Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues’s partnership vs Australia — India’s highest ever for the second wicket in WT20Is 2500No of WT20I runs completed by Jemimah Rodrigues during her 59 against Australia on Saturday — only the third Indian to do so after Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur 350No of international games played by Ellyse Perry — the first Australian women’s cricketer to do so This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 February,2026 09:26 AM IST | Adelaide | PTIEngland captain Harry Brook on Saturday admitted underestimating some teams in their group and promised to dish out stronger performances in the Super 8 stage in the T20 World Cup. England, the two-time champions, have been far from convincing thus far with three nervy victories against associate nations and a loss at the hands of former champs West Indies. They nearly lost to lowly Nepal before scraping to a four-run win, suffered a comprehensive 30-run defeat to former champions WI, before beating Scotland and Italy to reach the Super 8s. They face Sri Lanka in their first Super 8s match here on Sunday. “It was obviously a niggly start to the competition. We probably underestimated a few of the sides and they put up a really good fight and yeah, look, we came here to get through that stage and thankfully we have, so we’re here in the Super 8s and that’s our main focus now,” Brook said during the pre-match press conference. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 February,2026 09:19 AM IST | Pallekele | PTIWho “deals with the pressure better” will decide the India-South Africa Super Eights match, a repeat of the T20 World Cup final two years ago, said Quinton de Kock on Saturday. The two unbeaten teams are familiar foes and both came through their T20 World Cup groups with perfect four-out-of-four records ahead of the clash in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Aiden Markram’s SA toured India late last year, losing 3-1 in a T20 series. “I think that’s what’s going to make for quite a good game tomorrow, because we’ve played against each other quite a bit over the last two months,” said SA opener De Kock. “And to be honest, the teams haven’t really changed much. So, it’s more when you’re out there on the pressure side, who deals with the pressure better and wins the small moments in the game,” he added. Opener Abhishek Sharma has recorded three consecutive ducks, but De Kock did not read too much into it. “He’s the number one T20 batsman in the world at the moment, according to the rankings, so he must keep doing what he’s doing,” said de Kock of the 25-year-old Abhishek. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 February,2026 09:16 AM IST | Ahmedabad | AFPTeam India are going into the Super 8s with an all-win record, yet there are a few areas they would look to iron out before the knockout stage. The biggest concern is the form of Abhishek Sharma and the vulnerability of the top order against spinners. The second is the fielding, especially catching, which has been rather poor. As for the bowling, they are well endowed, with Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar on the bench. Abhishek Sharma Surely, the team management would like Abhishek to regain the form he displayed against South Africa in the bilateral series a few months back. At the pre-match media interaction, skipper Suryakumar Yadav said, “I am confident he will be among runs soon. But even otherwise, there is no panic. He was blasting runs and covering up for other batters who could not get going in the last series. Now we are all there to cover up for him.” He further said, “In every match there have been a couple of batters who have taken up the responsibility when others have failed. With Ishan Kishan in scintillating form, Tilak Varma, me, and down to Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, each has the capability to take the match away single-handedly.” When asked if power hitters like Dube and Pandya could be sent up the order, he said, “Much depends on the start we get. If we are just a couple of wickets down in the 14th over or so, surely we can think of promoting Dube and Hardik. In fact, barring the openers, the other batters realise they have to be flexible depending on the situation of the game.”
22 February,2026 09:11 AM IST | Ahmedabad | Santosh SuriADVERTISEMENT
