New Delhi: South Africa showed through their 76-run victory on Sunday that though it might take some doing to beat India in the T20 World Cup they are certainly unbeatable.
Teams just have to exploit the chinks in the armour of the defending champions, which South Africa did quite effectively in Group 1 Super Eights match in Ahmedabad, posting 187 for seven and then bowling India out for 111 in 18.5 overs.
It was India’s first defeat after a run of 12 straight victories across two editions in the tournament, against a side they had beaten in the final of the previous edition in 2024.
India certainly had their moments, particularly after reducing the Proteas to 20 for three inside the first four overs after opting to take first strike.
Jasprit Bumrah sent back Quinton de Kock (6) and Ryan Rickleton (7) in his first two overs for only seven runs to put India on top.
But from then David Miller (63) and Dewald Brevis (45) counter attacked with a 97-run fourth-wicket stand of 50 balls to not only lift them but put them in a position where they could touch the 200-run mark.
But once Brevis departed after three boundaries and three sixes in 29 deliveries in the 13th over followed by end of Miller’s 35-ball knock, inclusive of seven boundaries and three sixes, in the 16th over, India pulled them back to well inside 200.
Bumrah returned to dismiss Corbin Bosch (5) and with help from his new-ball partner Arshdeep Singh (2/28) ensure that South Africa’s total don’t go out of hand though Tristan Stubbs (44 not out, 24, 1×4, 3×6) gave it a healthy look.
Misfiring batters
But the way Indians batted left a lot to be desired once the in-form Ishan Kishan (0) perished attempting a typical aerial stroke.
After a hat-trick of ducks, Abhishek Sharma (15) finally made his first runs in the tournament but he missed more than he middled till he skied a big shot to take the long walk back.
From then on it was a series of wickets falling in regular intervals as Tilak Varma (1), skipper Suryakumar Yadav (18), Washington Sundar (11) and Hardik Pandya (18), Rinku Singh (0) never looked like they could give India hope.
Shivam Dube’s 42 wasn’t enough to even make a ripple.