New Delhi: One more team will follow Sri Lanka to the elimination path on Thursday when India and Zimbabwe clash in a high-stakes T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eight clash at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Having lost their respective opening fixtures with huge margins, both India and Zimbabwe are just one loss away from crashing out of the marquee tournament, making the clash a must-win for both sides.
At the time India and Zimbabwe take the field, the picture of how things will most likely pan out in Group 1 of the Super 8s will be pretty clear.
In the first match of the double-header, South Africa and the West Indies will lock horns at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Both teams are coming on the back of convincing wins, with the Proteas getting the better of India at the same venue three days ago and the Caribbean side brushing aside Zimbabwe in Mumbai on Monday.
Both teams not just won, but won big to get a massive boost to the Net Run Rates. West Indies currently sit at the top with a NRR of +5.350, followed by the Proteas at +3.800.
The winner of today’s clash will qualify for the semifinal, while the loser will live to fight another day.
South Africa vs West Indies (3.00 pm IST, Ahmedabad)
Having played four of the five matches in Ahmedabad, the Proteas will go into the match with an extra advantage of familiarity with the venue. But the 2024 finalists would be wary of the big-hitting West Indies batters, who have lit up the tournament with some sensational performances.
The two unbeaten teams square off at the world’s biggest cricket stadium to tighten their grip on a semifinal spot.
The Proteas come into the contest after a clinical 76-run win over home-favourites India, while the West Indies crushed Zimbabwe by 107 runs in a statement win at the Wankhede Stadium.
India would be hoping for a positive result for the Proteas, as a West Indies win could complicate matters for hosts India. The Caribbean side will be on the brink of a semifinal spot with a victory today, which will leave South Africa to face Zimbabwe in their final Super 8 fixture.
If that happens, India must beat West Indies and Zimbabwe by substantial margins to stay alive in the race.
Head-to-head Record
Played: 20 | West Indies won: 15 | South Africa won: 14
India vs Zimbabwe (7.00 pm IST, Chennai)
Tournament favourites and defending champions India stand on the brink of elimination after losing just one match, which followed four wins on the bounce in the league stage.
The Men In Blue were undone by a clinical South African performance on Sunday, but they themselves have a lot of fixing to do in the Zimbabwe clash. Among the main issues is the profligate top order, which has yet to fire collectively in the tournament.
Abhishek Sharma, the world number one batter, is going through one of the worst phases of his career, with three ducks in four appearances. A stomach infection after the first game, a combination of dull pitches and off-spinners, has hampered Abhishek’s batting form, which was prolific ahead of the tournament.
With just 15 runs from four matches at an average of 3.75 and at a strike-rate of 75, Abhishek has looked a pale shadow of himself at the biggest stage in world cricket.
India also must get the team combination and batting order right in the must-win clash.
Head-to-head Record
Played: 13 | India won: 10 | Zimbabwe won: 3
When and where to watch the T20 World Cup Super 8 matches between South Africa and West Indies, India and Zimbabwe?
The T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eight matches between South Africa and West Indies and India and Zimbawe will be telecast live on Star Sports Network and streamed live on the JioHotsar app.