South Africa bring India down to earth, register big win in Super 8s of T20 World Cup

Ahmedabad: South Africa ended defending champions India’s 12-match unbeaten run at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup with a commanding 76-run victory in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Powered by a counterattacking effort from David Miller, the Proteas recovered from a shaky 20/3 to post 187/7 in their 20 overs. Their bowlers then combined discipline with aggression to dismiss India for 111 in 18.5 overs, sealing a dominant win in what was a repeat of the 2024 T20 World Cup final. Both sides had entered the clash unbeaten, but it was South Africa who seized control.

India made the early inroads as Jasprit Bumrah delivered a fiery opening spell of 2/7 in two overs. He finished with 3/15, surpassing India’s previous record to become their leading wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history with 33 scalps.

However, South Africa turned the tide through a blistering 97-run stand off just 51 balls between Miller and Dewald Brevis. Targeting the spinners, they plundered 50 runs in five overs from Varun Chakaravarthy and Washington Sundar. Shivam Dube eventually broke the partnership when Brevis miscued to Abhishek Sharma at deep mid-wicket. Brevis struck 45, while Miller brought up his half-century with a six off a free hit and went on to score 63 from 35 balls before falling to Chakaravarthy.

A late flourish from Tristan Stubbs, who remained unbeaten on 44 off 24 balls, lifted South Africa beyond the 180-mark.

In reply, India stumbled early, managing just 31/3 in the powerplay. South African captain Aiden Markram set the tone by dismissing Ishan Kishan in the first over. Sharma’s brief return to form ended at 15, courtesy of a superb running catch by Corbin Bosch, who held on despite colliding with Keshav Maharaj.

India’s explosive batting line-up never found momentum. Dube’s 42 was the lone significant contribution after his earlier heroics against the Netherlands at the same venue.

South Africa’s pacers proved decisive. Lungi Ngidi was economical, conceding just 15 runs in four overs, while Marco Jansen starred with 4/22, removing Sharma and Tilak Varma. Bosch chipped in with 2/12, and Maharaj claimed three crucial wickets, including those of Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh in the space of three balls, as South Africa wrapped up a comprehensive triumph.

Tags : David Miller, South Africa, T20 World Cup, ICC, Jasprit Bumrah