South Africa produced one of the most commanding performances of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 on February 22, dismantling hosts and defending champions India by 76 runs in a Super Eights Group 1 encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The result brought a decisive end to India's 12-match unbeaten run at the 20-over showpiece, a streak that had stretched back through their triumphant 2024 campaign.

Electing to bat first, the Proteas found themselves in early trouble before a sensational middle-order fightback powered them to a formidable 187 for 7 in their 20 overs. David Miller was the chief architect of the recovery, smashing a blistering 63 off just 35 deliveries, an innings laced with power and precision that turned the momentum firmly in South Africa's favor. He received excellent support from Dewald Brevis, who contributed a quickfire 45, and Tristan Stubbs, whose unbeaten 44 provided the late acceleration that pushed the total beyond India's comfort zone.

Jasprit Bumrah was the lone bright spot for India with the ball, returning figures of 3 for 15 in a masterful display of death bowling. However, his efforts were not enough to contain the South African onslaught during the middle overs, where Miller and Brevis combined to shift the game decisively.

The Indian chase never truly got going. What was expected to be a raucous, celebratory atmosphere at the packed Narendra Modi Stadium quickly turned subdued as wickets tumbled at regular intervals. Marco Jansen was virtually unplayable, extracting sharp movement and awkward bounce to finish with career-best T20 World Cup figures of 4 for 22. The tall left-arm seamer removed key Indian batters in quick succession, leaving the hosts reeling in the powerplay.

Spin wizard Keshav Maharaj compounded India's misery, weaving a web around the middle order with his tidy left-arm orthodox to claim 3 for 24. Shivam Dube offered the only meaningful resistance with a fighting 42, but he ran out of partners as India were bowled out for just 111 in 18.5 overs.

The 76-run defeat is India's heaviest loss at a T20 World Cup and has significantly complicated their path to the semifinals. South Africa, meanwhile, jumped to second in Group 1 with a towering net run rate of plus 3.800, sending a powerful statement to the rest of the tournament.

In other Super Eights action, West Indies continued their impressive form with a comprehensive 107-run thrashing of Zimbabwe at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 23, moving to the top of the Group 1 standings. In Group 2, England hold the lead after a 51-run victory over Sri Lanka in Pallekele.

For India, the equation is now simple but unforgiving. With matches against West Indies and Zimbabwe still to come, the hosts must win both and hope other results go their way to secure a place in the last four. The semifinal spots will be determined by the top two finishers in each group, with the knockout stage set for March 4 and 5, followed by the final on March 8.

As captain Suryakumar Yadav and his team regroup, they will know that the margin for error has evaporated entirely. The defending champions must now channel the pressure of a cricket-mad nation into performances worthy of the title they hold.