Ahmedabad, February 22, 2026 – India tasted their first and biggest defeat of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as South Africa outclassed the hosts by 76 runs in a dominant Super Eight clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a challenging target of 188, India’s star-studded batting lineup collapsed for just 111 runs, marking a rare and emphatic setback for the tournament favorites. The loss ended India’s remarkable 12-match unbeaten streak in Men’s T20 World Cup fixtures.
Miller, Brevis Power South Africa to 187/7
After opting to bat first, South Africa endured an early wobble, slipping to 20/3 inside the Powerplay. However, a crucial 97-run partnership between David Miller and Dewald Brevis steadied the innings and swung momentum firmly in the Proteas’ favor.
Miller played a match-winning knock of 63 off 35 balls, combining power and precision to rebuild the innings. Brevis provided excellent support, while Tristan Stubbs’ late flourish in the final over lifted South Africa to a competitive 187/7.
For India, Jasprit Bumrah once again impressed with early breakthroughs, but the spinners struggled to contain the South African batters. Hardik Pandya conceded 20 runs in the final over, allowing the visitors to post a daunting total.
India Crumble Under Pressure
India’s chase never gained momentum. Ishan Kishan departed for a duck, and Abhishek Sharma managed only 15. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav showed brief resistance, but regular wickets dismantled any hopes of a comeback.
Marco Jansen led South Africa’s bowling charge with a superb four-wicket haul, while Keshav Maharaj and Corbin Bosch shared five wickets between them. The Proteas’ disciplined bowling, sharp fielding, and tactical brilliance left India reeling as they were bundled out for 111.
Captains React
South Africa captain Aiden Markram praised his team’s adaptability and resilience, especially after the early setbacks. He highlighted the Miller-Brevis partnership as the turning point and lauded Jansen’s impact with the ball.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav admitted that losing early wickets cost his side the match. “You can’t win a game in the Powerplay, but you can definitely lose it,” he said, adding that the team would regroup and continue playing their brand of cricket.
Player of the Match
David Miller was named Player of the Match for his decisive innings. He credited the partnership with Brevis for changing the course of the game and acknowledged the challenge posed by India’s world-class bowling attack.
What’s Next
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 action continues on Monday, February 23, when West Indies face Zimbabwe at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
South Africa’s emphatic victory has thrown the Super Eight stage wide open, while India will look to bounce back quickly from a rare and humbling defeat.