India suffered a shocking 76-run defeat to South Africa in their T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 opener at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on February 22.
The defeat has significantly sabotaged their hopes of advancing to the semifinals of the competition.
South Africa, batting first, posted a formidable 187-7 in 20 overs, powered by David Miller's gritty 63, Dewald Brevis's 45, and Tristan Stubbs's explosive unbeaten 44 off 24 balls, including two sixes in the final over against Hardik Pandya. Jasprit Bumrah shone for India with 3-15, dismissing key openers early, while Arshdeep Singh claimed two wickets.
Chasing 188, India's top order crumbled. Ishan Kishan fell in the first over to Aiden Markram's off-spin, Tilak Varma to Marco Jansen soon after, and Abhishek Sharma made just 15 before Corbin Bosch struck. Captain Suryakumar Yadav managed 18, but the middle order faltered at 51-5. Shivam Dube's fighting 42 off 37 offered brief hope alongside Hardik Pandya, but Keshav Maharaj and Jansen (4-22) dismantled them, bowling India out for 111 in 18.5 overs.
This loss ended India's 12-match T20 World Cup winning streak, leaving them at the bottom of Group 1 with a net run rate of -3.80.
India Super Eight Schedule
India still have two Super 8 matches left, as they play Zimbabwe on February 26 and then West Indies on March 1.
Although winning two matches are likely to put Suryakumar Yadav and his team in the mix of a semifinal qualification, that may also not be enough for them, if things don't go India's way.
How can India be eliminated even with Two Wins in Super Eight?
If India win their last two Super 8 matches, they will finish with 4 points. The question for the Indian team to qualify for the semi-final has become significantly more difficult because of their terrible net run rate after the first match. As the Indian team lost by 76 runs against the Proteas, which has taken a huge dent in their NRR, which will play a key part in qualification if all the teams are stranded on four points.
How can All Four Teams get stranded on 4 Points?
If India win their next two matches against Zimbabwe and West Indies, they will be on four points. If South Africa are beaten to West Indies but win against Zimbabwe, they will be on 4 points. In that case, if Zimbabwe lose to West Indies, India and South Africa, they will be left without a point.
In that scenario, West Indies, South Africa and India - all three teams will have 4 points. India's already terrible NRR then may bite them and eliminate them from the tournament.
Note: The same is applicable for West Indies as well, where WI may lose all 3 matches and Zimbabwe, India, South Africa can be tied with 4 points.
