New Delhi: India’s 12-match unbeaten streak at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup came to an end as South Africa handed the defending champions a 76-run defeat in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
India struck early, capitalizing on key moments in the opening phase. Jasprit Bumrah ripped through the top order with a fiery spell of 2/7 in his first two overs, reducing South Africa to 20/3. He later finished with outstanding figures of 3/15 and became India’s highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history with 33 scalps.
However, India allowed the momentum to slip as David Miller and Dewald Brevis counterattacked aggressively. The duo stitched together a 97-run stand off just 51 balls and shifted pressure back onto the hosts. Indian spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Washington Sundar conceded 50 runs in five overs as South Africa rebuilt strongly, according to icc-cricket.com.
Shivam Dube broke the partnership by forcing Brevis into a miscue at deep mid-wicket, where Abhishek Sharma completed the catch. Brevis scored 45 off 29 balls. Miller capitalised on a free hit to bring up his half-century and powered his way to 63 off 35 deliveries before Chakaravarthy dismissed him. A late unbeaten 44 off 24 balls from Tristan Stubbs pushed South Africa to a competitive 187/7 in 20 overs.
India’s chase never gathered momentum. The top order struggled during the power play and slipped to 31/3 inside six overs. South African Captain Aiden Markram struck in the first over to remove Ishan Kishan, putting India under immediate pressure.
Abhishek Sharma showed brief intent but fell for 15. Corbin Bosch completed a sharp running catch despite colliding with Keshav Maharaj. India’s middle order failed to build partnerships as South Africa’s bowlers maintained tight lines and controlled the tempo.
Shivam Dube fought back with a determined 42 and tried to anchor the innings, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Marco Jansen delivered a decisive spell, removing Sharma and Tilak Varma on his way to 4/22. Lungi Ngidi applied pressure with disciplined bowling, conceding just 15 runs in four overs, while Bosch claimed 2/12. Maharaj struck three times, including the key wickets of Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh in quick succession.
India eventually folded for 111 in 18.5 overs, suffering their first defeat of the tournament. The result also marked a reversal of fortunes from the 2024 T20 World Cup final, where India had triumphed.
