India vs South Africa
India’s campaign in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup faced a significant setback as they suffered a defeat against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 23, 2026. The Indian team, previously on a winning streak, struggled to maintain their momentum as the Proteas delivered a commanding performance.
South Africa’s innings, marked by a resilient 97-run partnership between David Miller and Dewald Brevis, capitalized on the early collapse of India’s bowling attack. Despite Varun Chakaravarthy’s efforts, the South African batsmen managed to post a competitive score of 187 for seven.
India’s batting lineup faltered once again, with early wickets falling cheaply. The highest opening partnership so far in the tournament has been a mere 25 runs, highlighting the top-order’s struggles. Abhishek Sharma’s recent dip in form has added pressure on the middle order to stabilize the innings.
Indian Cricket Team Faces Must-Win Matches as Net Run Rate Plummets
As the tournament progresses, India faces crucial matches against Zimbabwe and the West Indies, with their net run rate dropping to -3.8. The team must address these issues promptly to remain in contention, especially with the absence of veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, February 23rd, 2026
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