Defending champions India demonstrated their determination for the T20 World Cup 2026 with a 30-run win over South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium. Piling up a massive 240/6, then India’s bowlers had the guts to limit the Proteas to 210/7, notwithstanding some late-inning pyrotechnics.
The Kishan-Abhishek Blitz
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bat, a decision instantly vindicated by openers Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma. Kishan was in a brutal mood, hitting seven sixes in a whirlwind 20-ball 53 before retiring out to let other batters take the ball. The steady support of Abhishek Sharma followed with retirement, enabling a middle-order assault.
Middle-Order Firepower
Tilak Varma laid a strong case for his place in the playing XI, with 45 off a mere 19 balls. The momentum also carried on through to Hardik Pandya who completed a blistering 30 off 10 deliveries, one of which was a huge one-handed strike which would have impressed the audience.
South Africa’s Spirited Chase
Chasing 241: South Africa’s response got off to a bad start after Arshdeep Singh removed George Linde for a duck in the opening over. Skipper Aiden Markram (38) and Ryan Rickelton (44) also tried to recover, but India spun their way back—with Abhishek Sharma (2/32) and Axar Patel at the forefront—to hold back the scoring rate through the middle overs.
Tristan Stubbs gave the Proteas some late entertainment, smashing three straight sixes off Shivam Dube in the final over to finish unbeaten on 45 off 21 balls, though the target was beyond reach. Next Steps Now, with this win, India has some breathing space for its premier combination and a top depth bowling position in India’s tournament opener against the USA on February 7. South Africa too might be looking to rein in its bowling discipline after showing it could leak 240 runs on a flat track in Navi Mumbai.
Brief Scores:
- India: 240/6 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 53, Tilak Varma 45; Corbin Bosch 1/31).
- South Africa: 210/7 in 20 overs (Tristan Stubbs 45*, Ryan Rickelton 44; Abhishek Sharma 2/32).
- Result: India won by 30 runs.
