Proteas hand India their first defeat… and it’s a big one
South Africa ended India’s 12 match unbeaten run at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a commanding 76 run victory in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Led by David Miller, the Proteas recovered from 3-20 to post 187 for seven. Their bowlers followed with a disciplined display to dismiss India for 111 in 18.5 overs.
It was a repeat of the 2024 final and both sides had been unbeaten in this edition. Something had to give. India struck early through Jasprit Bumrah, whose opening burst of two for seven set the tone. He finished with three for 15 and moved to 33 wickets in T20 World Cups, becoming India’s leading wicket taker in the competition.
South Africa responded with a 97 run stand from 51 balls between Miller and Dewald Brevis. They targeted the spinners, taking 50 from five overs shared by Varun Chakaravarthy and Washington Sundar.
Shivam Dube broke the stand when Brevis miscued to Abhishek Sharma. Brevis made 45 with three fours and three sixes. Miller reached his half century with a six from a free hit and struck 63 from 35 balls before Chakaravarthy removed him. Tristan Stubbs added an unbeaten 44 from 24 to push the total beyond 180.
India never settled in reply and were 31 for three after the powerplay. Captain Aiden Markram set the tone by dismissing Ishan Kishan in the first over. Sharma made 15 before a sharp catch from Corbin Bosch ended his stay.
Dube top scored with 42 but lacked support. Lungi Ngidi conceded just 15 in four overs, Marco Jansen claimed 4-22 and Bosch took 2-12. Keshav Maharaj added three wickets, including those of Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh in the space of three balls.
Washout for Pakistan & New Zealand
The opening Super Eight fixture between Pakistan and New Zealand was abandoned because of rain. The teams shared a point each after Pakistan captain Salman Agha elected to bat before the covers came on.
West Indies mighty against Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s impressive run was halted as West Indies powered to 254 for six at the Wankhede Stadium.
Half centuries from Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell set up the highest total of this World Cup and the second highest in T20 World Cup history. Zimbabwe were dismissed for 147, handing West Indies a 107 run win. Shai Hope has now overseen five straight victories.
Zimbabwe had previously beaten Australia and Sri Lanka in the group stage. They reduced West Indies to 55 for two in the powerplay but could not contain the onslaught.
Hetmyer survived early chances and struck 85 from 34 balls with seven fours and seven sixes before falling to Graeme Cremer, caught by Brian Bennett. Powell added 59 and shared a rapid century stand with Hetmyer as West Indies cleared 150 inside 13 overs. They finished with 19 sixes and 16 fours.
Zimbabwe slipped to 3-20 in reply. Matthew Forde removed Tadiwanashe Marumani and Akeal Hosein dismissed Bennett next ball. Dion Myers made 28 and Sikandar Raza 27. Brad Evans struck 43 from 21 and shared a 44 run last wicket stand with Richard Ngarava. Gudakesh Motie took four for 28 while Hosein claimed three for 28.
Aussies finish on a positive against Oman
Australia ended a difficult campaign with a nine wicket win over Oman in Kandy rounding out the group stage.
Having missed out on the Super Eight after defeats to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, Australia chased 105 in 9.4 overs. Captain Mitchell Marsh struck an unbeaten 64 from 33 balls. Travis Head made 32 before falling to Shakeel Ahmed.
Earlier, Xavier Bartlett removed Aamir Kaleem with the first ball. Oman were bowled out for 104 in 16.2 overs, with Wasim Ali top scoring with 32. Six batters were dismissed bowled.
Glenn Maxwell claimed his 50th T20I wicket by trapping Mohammad Nadeem lbw. Adam Zampa finished with 4-21 in 3.2 overs and was named player of the match.
