Full Match Report, Scorecard, Key Moments & Analysis

Match 43 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 witnessed an unbalanced tussle between the India National Cricket Team and the South Africa National Cricket Team. What had promised to be a competitive Super 8 clash became a statement victory for South Africa.

The match, held at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, saw the Proteas dominate with bat and ball. After scoring an impressive 187/7 in 20 overs, they dismissed India for just 111 in 18.5 overs to win by a massive margin of 76 runs.

So, let’s analyze the complete match story in a crystal-clear way.

Match Summary

South Africa Innings – 187/7 (20 Overs)

South Africa wasn’t the fast starter. The first four overs, in fact, belonged to India.

Early Setback

• Aiden Markram – 18
• Quinton de Kock – 9
• Ryan Rickelton – Early dismissal

India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, delivered early blows as he dismissed South Africa in the powerplay at 20/3.

At that stage, India seemed in total control.

But cricket is a momentum game—and that momentum shifted dramatically.

The Game-Changing Partnership

Dewald Brevis – 45 (29 balls)

3 fours, 3 sixes | SR: 155.17

David Miller – 63 (35 balls)

7 fours | 3 sixes | SR 180.00

It was the 97-run partnership between Brevis and David Miller that turned the game on its head.

Miller was pretty much unstoppable, especially in the death overs. He upped the ante beautifully in the last five overs, finding boundaries with robotic precision.

This was polished off by Tristan Stubbs.

Tristan Stubbs – 44* (24 balls)

His unbeaten stint ensured South Africa finished at 187/7—a total just above par yet defendable too.

Read More: Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline (1955–2026):

South Africa Batting Highlights

India Bowling Performance

India started brilliantly but lost control in the middle overs.

Jasprit Bumrah – 4 Overs, 15 Runs, 3 Wickets

Economy: 3.80

Bumrah was exceptional. His control, accuracy, and variations were world-class.

Arshdeep Singh – 4 Overs, 28 Runs, 2 Wickets

However, the middle overs became expensive.

Key Bowling Figures

India’s inability to contain Miller in the death overs proved costly.

India Innings – 111 All Out (18.5 Overs)

Never an easy chase in a pressure game of a Super 8 match, chasing 188. But India’s batting failure compounded the problem.

Early Collapse

• Ishan Kishan – 0
• Tilak Varma – Early dismissal
• Abhishek Sharma – Fell cheaply

India slumped to 26/3 in no time, and the pressure mounted straightaway.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav was struggling to accelerate and returned for just 18.

Lone Resistance

Shivam Dube – 42 (37 balls)

Dube did his best to anchor the innings. He looked good but didn’t get any support from the other end.

Hardik Pandya – 18 (17 balls)

India lost wickets continuously and was eventually bowled out for 111.

India Batting Highlights

South Africa Bowling Excellence

South Africa’s bowling attack was disciplined and ruthless.

Marco Jansen – 3.5 Overs, 22 Runs, 4 Wickets

Economy: 5.70

His left-arm pace troubled India throughout.

Keshav Maharaj – 3 Overs, 24 Runs, 3 Wickets

Maharaj controlled the middle overs brilliantly.

Corbin Bosch – 3 Overs, 12 Runs, 2 Wickets

Bowling Figures

India never looked close to the target.

Powerplay Comparison

Both teams lost early wickets, but South Africa rebuilt—India could not.

Playing XI

India

Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakaravarthy

South Africa

Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, and Kagiso Rabada.

Key Turning Points

1. Bumrah’s early breakthroughs – Gave India initial control.
2. Brevis-Miller 97-run partnership – Changed the game completely.
3. India losing 3 wickets in powerplay – Killed the chase early.
4. Marco Jansen’s spell – Broke India’s middle order.

Match Analysis

This match was a stark reminder of South Africa’s depth.

Despite losing early wickets, their middle order performs under pressure. David Miller has once again made the case for being one of the best finishers in T20 cricket.

India’s batting, on the other hand, was unstable. No solid partnerships were built. No batter showed the temperament required in a big chase except Shivam Dube.

Only one major positive for the Indian bowlers was Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliant spell. His control and accuracy still rank among the best in world cricket.

Final Result

South Africa won by 76 runs vs India in the Super 8! Match—ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

This win consolidated South Africa’s stand in the tournament, whereas India went back homeless in search of answers to their batting approach.

FAQs – India vs South Africa, 43rd match