Team India winning run ended on Sunday night after a 76-run defeat to South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium during the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match. The defeat has made things difficult for the defending champions, as even if they win their remaining matches against Zimbabwe and West Indies, a place in the semi-finals is not guaranteed. During the match against the Proteas, India struggled in both batting and bowling in Ahmedabad; their bowlers failed to control the game in the middle overs and did not have any plans. While chasing 188, the batters looked out of rhythm and put up their weakest performance of the tournament.&nbsp;Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar pointed out problems in India’s bowling attack. Speaking on Tapmad, he said that except for Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, the bowlers seemed unsure about how to stop South Africa’s strong batting. He noted that Varun, who usually bowls at 97-98 kmph was slower at around 94 kmph and was even hit for a no-look six by Dewald Brevis.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Indian bowling has been exposed. If you look at Varun, whose strength is to bowl at a speed of 97-98 kmph, he was clocking 94. And when he came into the attack, he was hit for a no-look six by Dewald Brevis," Shoaib Akhtar said.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/i-calmly-await-the-truth-psg-star-achraf-hakimi-to-face-trial-in-alleged-rape-1771939521056">‘I calmly await the truth’: PSG star Achraf Hakimi to face trial in alleged rape</a>&nbsp;Akhtar also pointed out that Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube were bowling at about 120 kmph, which was not threatening enough against a strong team like South Africa. Using them in the later overs has made it easier for the opposition to attack.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Secondly, the likes of Hardik and Shivam Dube were bowling at a speed of 120 kmph. It’s not as if they are Malcolm Marshall, someone who would intimidate a batting line-up of South Africa’s calibre. If you are deploying them in late overs, such a counterattack from the Proteas was only inevitable," he added.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/mistakes-happen-i-accept-it-umpire-steve-bucknor-issues-apology-to-sachin-tendulkar-22-years-after-gabba-test-blunder-lbw-brisbane-interview-1771930862298">Steve Bucknor issues apology to Sachin Tendulkar 22 years after Gabba blunder</a>&nbsp;Akhtar also said that India made a big mistake by not playing wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in such an important match. According to him, Kuldeep can confuse batters with his flight deliveries and take key wickets under pressure.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I only want to say that the missing link here is Kuldeep Yadav. He is the guy who can actually deceive you in the air and can get you wickets when needed. He is a very competitive spinner. We know how a big match-winner he is."&nbsp;“Varun and Sundar are bowlers with similar skillsets, and the problem was that they both were pushed to the backfoot. India’s bowling looked very fragile against South Africa," said Akhtar.

The defeat against the Proteas has made things difficult for the defending champions, as even if they win their remaining matches against Zimbabwe and West Indies, a place in the semi-finals is not guaranteed. 

Team India winning run ended on Sunday night after a 76-run defeat to South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium during the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match. The defeat has made things difficult for the defending champions, as even if they win their remaining matches against Zimbabwe and West Indies, a place in the semi-finals is not guaranteed. During the match against the Proteas, India struggled in both batting and bowling in Ahmedabad; their bowlers failed to control the game in the middle overs and did not have any plans. While chasing 188, the batters looked out of rhythm and put up their weakest performance of the tournament. Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar pointed out problems in India’s bowling attack. Speaking on Tapmad, he said that except for Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, the bowlers seemed unsure about how to stop South Africa’s strong batting. He noted that Varun, who usually bowls at 97-98 kmph was slower at around 94 kmph and was even hit for a no-look six by Dewald Brevis. “Indian bowling has been exposed. If you look at Varun, whose strength is to bowl at a speed of 97-98 kmph, he was clocking 94. And when he came into the attack, he was hit for a no-look six by Dewald Brevis," Shoaib Akhtar said. Also Read - ‘I calmly await the truth’: PSG star Achraf Hakimi to face trial in alleged rape Akhtar also pointed out that Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube were bowling at about 120 kmph, which was not threatening enough against a strong team like South Africa. Using them in the later overs has made it easier for the opposition to attack. “Secondly, the likes of Hardik and Shivam Dube were bowling at a speed of 120 kmph. It’s not as if they are Malcolm Marshall, someone who would intimidate a batting line-up of South Africa’s calibre. If you are deploying them in late overs, such a counterattack from the Proteas was only inevitable," he added. Also Read - Steve Bucknor issues apology to Sachin Tendulkar 22 years after Gabba blunder Akhtar also said that India made a big mistake by not playing wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in such an important match. According to him, Kuldeep can confuse batters with his flight deliveries and take key wickets under pressure. “I only want to say that the missing link here is Kuldeep Yadav. He is the guy who can actually deceive you in the air and can get you wickets when needed. He is a very competitive spinner. We know how a big match-winner he is." “Varun and Sundar are bowlers with similar skillsets, and the problem was that they both were pushed to the backfoot. India’s bowling looked very fragile against South Africa," said Akhtar.

The defeat against the Proteas has made things difficult for the defending champions, as even if they win their remaining matches against Zimbabwe and West Indies, a place in the semi-finals is not guaranteed.&nbsp;

'Hardik, Dube don't intimidate a batting line-up...': Akhtar tears apart India attack

South Africa still feel the pain of their defeat to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, but they prefer not to talk about it. Ahead of their T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash, opener Quinton de Kock said the team has decided to move forward by avoiding any discussion about that defeat.&nbsp;"To be honest, after that game, we just forgot about it. In all honesty, none of us wanted to speak about it. We went home and went through our own processes about how to deal with it. That's pretty much it. We have never really spoken about it," De Kock said.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bcci-announces-support-for-cricket-association-for-the-blind-in-india-includes-international-exposure-home-series-1771688634467">BCCI announces support for Cricket Association for the Blind in India</a>&nbsp;It is clear why the loss was so painful, the Proteas were on the brink of winning their first T20 World Cup title in Barbados. They needed just 30 runs from 30 balls, with Heinrich Klaasen batting superbly, he even took Axar Patel for 24 runs in a single over. At that moment, the trophy seemed almost theirs.&nbsp;However, the momentum shifted quickly when Hardik Pandya dismissed Klaasen in the 17th over, after which India’s bowlers kept the pressure on. Chasing 177, South Africa fell just short in the final overs, suffering one of the most heartbreaking defeats in a World Cup final.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/t20-world-cup-2026-here-s-how-india-and-pakistan-could-meet-in-semifinal-final-1771696957371">T20 World Cup 2026: Here's how India and Pakistan could meet in semifinal, final</a>&nbsp;Now, the two teams will face each other again in the Super 8 stage at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This will be their first T20 World Cup meeting since that final.&nbsp;The India vs South Africa Super 8 match will start at 7 PM IST on Feb 22 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The India vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match will start at 7 PM IST on Feb 22 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

South Africa still feel the pain of their defeat to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, but they prefer not to talk about it. Ahead of their T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash, opener Quinton de Kock said the team has decided to move forward by avoiding any discussion about that defeat. "To be honest, after that game, we just forgot about it. In all honesty, none of us wanted to speak about it. We went home and went through our own processes about how to deal with it. That's pretty much it. We have never really spoken about it," De Kock said. Also Read - BCCI announces support for Cricket Association for the Blind in India It is clear why the loss was so painful, the Proteas were on the brink of winning their first T20 World Cup title in Barbados. They needed just 30 runs from 30 balls, with Heinrich Klaasen batting superbly, he even took Axar Patel for 24 runs in a single over. At that moment, the trophy seemed almost theirs. However, the momentum shifted quickly when Hardik Pandya dismissed Klaasen in the 17th over, after which India’s bowlers kept the pressure on. Chasing 177, South Africa fell just short in the final overs, suffering one of the most heartbreaking defeats in a World Cup final. Also Read - T20 World Cup 2026: Here's how India and Pakistan could meet in semifinal, final Now, the two teams will face each other again in the Super 8 stage at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This will be their first T20 World Cup meeting since that final. The India vs South Africa Super 8 match will start at 7 PM IST on Feb 22 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The India vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match will start at 7 PM IST on Feb 22 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

'We just forgot about it': De Kock on 2024 T20 World Cup final loss against India

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'Hardik, Dube don't intimidate a batting line-up...': Akhtar tears apart India attack

'We just forgot about it': De Kock on 2024 T20 WC final loss against India