22 February 2026
Yaar, fourth roza done, fifth Taravih behind me, and as I sit here getting things ready for the fifth roza – soaking dates, keeping water ready, thinking about what to eat at Sehri – the cricket world is still buzzing from what happened in Ahmedabad earlier today. South Africa just gave India a proper hammering in the 43rd match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Super Eights Group 1 at Narendra Modi Stadium.
South Africa won by 76 runs. India were bowled out for 111 chasing 188. The Proteas were clinical in every department – batting depth when it mattered, bowling variety, sharp fielding – and India looked completely off the pace they showed earlier in the tournament.
South Africa won the toss and batted first on a good Ahmedabad track (true bounce, some early help for pace). They started shaky – Quinton de Kock 6 (7), Aiden Markram 4 (7), Ryan Rickelton 7 (7) – 20/3 after 4 overs. But Dewald Brevis (45 off 29, 3 fours, 3 sixes) and David Miller (63 off 35, 7 fours, 3 sixes) rebuilt with a 97-run stand for the fourth wicket (50 in 29 balls). Tristan Stubbs (44* off 24, 1 four, 3 sixes) finished strong. SA posted 187/7 in 20 overs (RR 9.35). Extras 11. Jasprit Bumrah took 3/15 (4 overs, including de Kock bowled, Rickelton caught, Bosch c&b), Arshdeep 2/28, Dube 1/32, Chakravarthy 1/47.
India's chase was a disaster – 111 all out in 18.5 overs (RR 5.89). Ishan Kishan 0 (4), Tilak Varma 1 (2), Abhishek Sharma 15 (12) – top three gone for 26/3 after 4.3 overs. Suryakumar Yadav 18 (22), Washington Sundar 11 (11), Hardik Pandya 18 (17), Rinku Singh 0 (2). Shivam Dube top-scored with 42 (37, 1 four, 3 sixes) but it was too late. Extras 5. Marco Jansen 4/22 (3.5 overs), Keshav Maharaj 3/24 (3 overs), Corbin Bosch 2/12 (3 overs), Markram 1/5 (1 over).
Powerplay: SA 41/3, India 31/3. SA reached 100 in 11.1 overs, 150 in 15.2. India hit 50 in 8.3 overs, 100 in 15.2 – slow and stuttering.
Player of the Match: David Miller (63 off 35, 110.93 Cricinfo MVP points). SA's all-round balance shone – pace, spin, batting depth. India? First loss of the tournament, NRR takes a hit, top-order fragility exposed again (Abhishek's ongoing slump, early collapses).
My take: SA outclassed India in every phase today. All-round strength beat star power on the day. India will bounce back – they have the talent – but batting first and folding for 111 chasing 188 shows real vulnerabilities.
Ramadan Mubarak – fourth roza and fifth Taravih done, Alhamdulillah. Preparing for fifth roza right now – Sehri prep, dua in my heart. Stay strong on the fast, everyone.
You think India recovers quick or SA the new favorites? Drop your thoughts below.
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