Proteas Dominate as India’s Unbeaten Run Ends in Ahmedabad

South Africa Gets the revenge and dominates India

Super 8, T20 World Cup 2026 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | February 22, 2026

India’s unbeaten run in T20 World Cups came to an abrupt end as South Africa produced a complete performance to win by 76 runs in Ahmedabad. The result was decisive and telling. South Africa recovered from 20 for 3 to post 187 for 7, then bowled India out for 111 in 18.5 overs. David Miller’s counterpunching and Keshav Maharaj’s late break forced India into a heavy defeat that raises questions about their top order and selected combinations.

What happened, and how

South Africa lost early wickets, but Dewald Brevis and David Miller rebuilt with two eye-catching partnerships, Miller finishing with 63 off 35 balls and Tristan Stubbs adding a rapid 44 not out to push the total to 187 for 7. Marco Jansen returned match figures of 4 for 22 to wreck India’s chase. In response, India never recovered from the powerplay damage; they were 57 for 5 at one stage, and only Shivam Dube’s 42 off 37 offered real resistance. Keshav Maharaj’s three wickets in the 15th over effectively ended the contest.

Conditions and their impact

Ahmedabad produced a true surface with good carry under lights and short square boundaries that favored hitting. The straight boundaries are longer, which rewarded well-timed shots more than slogging. Dew was significant in the second innings and made the ball skid onto the bat, but South Africa managed their overs and plans so well that the dew did not help India enough. New ball seam movement was present early, and South Africa exploited it with disciplined, varied bowling. Overall the pitch allowed a recovery after an early wobble for South Africa and then became slightly slower as the match progressed, which helped skillful wrist and finger spinners like Maharaj.

Key themes from the game

India’s vulnerable top order.

India’s opening and early middle order repeatedly failed to impose themselves. Losing 5 wickets inside the first 10 overs put the batting under constant pressure and forced the middle order into reconstruction rather than hitting. That vulnerability is a worrying pattern for a side that relies on building foundations in the first six to ten overs.

Shivam Dube’s fight

Dube’s 42 was the inning of resistance. He took the attack to the bowlers when India needed momentum and stitched together a valuable partnership with Hardik Pandya to keep India in the game briefly. Without Dube’s effort, India would have crumbled even earlier.

Varun Chakravarthy’s expensive spell

Varun Chakravarthy leaked runs at a crucial phase, finishing with figures that read expensive for India. His variations, which had troubled opponents earlier in the tournament, were not as effective on this surface, and South Africa took calculated risks against him. That one high-cost spell shifted the middle-phase dynamics in South Africa’s favor.

Keshav Maharaj the breaker

Maharaj’s 3 for 24, including a decisive three-wicket over, halted India’s rebuilding attempt. His control, flight, and clever use of angles exposed India’s middle-order hesitation and removed any chance of a late surge. Maharaj was both a tactical and technical match-winner with the ball.

Fielding, catching and discipline

South Africa’s fielding was sharp. The Proteas took key catches and backed up their bowlers with close-in pressure. India’s fielding was mixed; a few missed chances and misfields at crucial moments compounded their batting problems. Fielding in this tournament has continued to be a differentiator, and it showed again.

Axar left out

India once again kept Axar Patel out of the playing XI, preferring other options. That decision continued to attract scrutiny after the match. Axar’s left-arm spin and batting depth might have given India a different look in the middle overs, especially on a surface that offered some grip. The choice to exclude him remains a talking point among former players and analysts.

South Africa’s revenge motif

This win echoed the script of the previous major final between these teams and underlined a clear intent from the Proteas. They executed their game plans precisely, produced the middle partnerships when required, and finished strongly with the ball. For South Africa, this was a statement victory and an emphatic return to the form they showed in the previous global final.

Recovery solutions

Stabilise the top order quickly
Pick a clear, settled opening pair and back them for at least the next two Super 8 games to rebuild confidence. Consider giving Abhishek Sharma and a specialist opener defined roles rather than rotating widely.
Reintroduce a left arm spin option
Bring Axar Patel back into the XI to add variety and left-arm spin angles against a heavy right-handed middle order. On wickets that offer grip, Axar can both control the scoring rate and provide crucial wickets.
Manage Varun’s role and spell length
Use Varun Chakravarthy in shorter, targeted bursts rather than extended middle spells if he is leaking. Mix him with a frontline spinner who bowls tight overs to allow the mystery spinner to regain rhythm.
Tighten power play plans
Place emphasis on discipline in the first six overs with clearer plans for which balls to play and which to leave. Facing up to South Africa’s new-ball pace requires better premeditation from the batters.
Improve fielding intensity and clarity in roles
Fielding lapses cost crucial momentum. Drill close catch and ground fielding routines, and ensure each fielder knows the captain’s defensive and attacking plans for every bowler.
Tactical use of all-rounders
Use Hardik and other all-round options in flexible batting positions. Encourage finishers like Dube and Rinku to have defined strike-rotation responsibilities rather than improvisation under pressure.

Bottom line

South Africa executed a near-perfect plan in Ahmedabad. India was outplayed across phases, but the tournament is not over. Realistic, targeted fixes around the top order, spin variety, and fielding can restore balance. The next two Super 8 fixtures will be a proper test of India’s adaptability and resolve. If they act quickly and decisively, this defeat can become a wake-up call rather than a turning point against them.