Dominant South Africa thrash India in Super Eight clash
AHMEDABAD: David Miller’s brilliant half-century and a masterful bowling performance powered South Africa to a resounding victory over defending champions India in the second match of the Super Eight of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
India were overwhelmed in the chase by South Africa, who had set a target of 188, and were bowled out for 111 in 18.5 overs.
India had a similar start, losing their top three batsmen in four overs.
The only difference was the absence of a Miller-Brevis partnership that could have carried them all the way.
As a result, India continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. The low point came when Corbin Bosch took the wickets of skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Washington Sundar.
Yadav managed only 18 from 2.2, while Sundar scored 11.
The slide continued, but was halted by the 35-wicket partnership of Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya, which gave them a glimmer of hope.
But Keshav Maharaj’s 14th over proved to be the final straw, with the hosts losing three wickets. Hardik (18 off 17 balls), Rinku Singh (0), and Arshdeep Singh (1) were all similarly caught on the boundary rope by Tristan Stubbs.
The innings unfolded quickly, with South Africa sealing a decisive 76-run victory.
Marco Jansen remained prolific for South Africa with his four-wicket haul, while Keshav Maharaj captured three, putting himself in the wicket column.
Earlier, choosing to bat first under the floodlights here at the Narendra Modi Stadium, South Africa huffed and puffed to 183-5 in their 20 overs.
The hosts were in the lead, dismissing the top three South Africans in the first four overs.
With the Proteas struggling at 20-3, David Miller and Dewald Brevis teamed up to rescue their team.
The pair not only launched a steady comeback with a total of 97 runs, but also lifted South Africa into a commanding position with 117 runs in 12.2 overs.
Shivam Dube provided India with a much-needed breakthrough, dismissing Dewald Brevis for 45 runs from 29 balls. The right-hander smashed three fours and three sixes in his enterprising knock.
Meanwhile, David Miller continued, adding another 35 runs with Tristan Stubbs.
The left-hander was out just as South Africa were aiming for a massive total. He made 63 runs from 35, including three sixes and seven fours.
After his wicket, South Africa lost their bearings, thanks to a brilliant over from Jasprit Bumrah.
But it was Tristan Stubbs’s blitz in the final over that helped the 2024 runners-up win. Stubbs beat Hardik Pandya for 20 runs, finishing on a high.
The right-handed bowler remained unbeaten with 44 runs from 23 balls, featuring three maximums and a four.
For India, Jasprit Bumrah proved to be the standout bowler, taking three wickets and conceding just three runs.
