Clinical South Africa hand India first defeat of T20 World Cup

South Africa snapped India's 12-match winning streak at the T20 World Cup as they handed the defending champions a 76-run defeat in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

With David Miller leading the charge, the Proteas recovered from 20/3 to post a challenging 187/7 in 20 overs. The South African bowlers then delivered a masterclass of restrained aggression, dismissing India for 111 in 18.5 overs and completing a dominant victory.

It was a repeat of the 2024 T20 World Cup final and both teams were unbeaten in this edition so far.

Something had to give. And it was the co-hosts who dominated the first half-hour of the contest, as Jasprit Bumrah produced a stellar opening spell of 2/7 in two overs. He finished with figures of 3/15, taking over as India's highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cups with 33 scalps during the match.

The Proteas scripted a comeback through a 97-run partnership (off 51 balls) between Miller and Dewald Brevis. South Africa took on the spinners, scoring 50 runs off five overs from Varun Chakaravarthy and Washington Sundar.

Shivam Dube gave India the breakthrough, as he had Brevis miscue a shot to Abhishek Sharma at deep mid-wicket. Brevis made 45 with the help of three fours and three sixes to give his team the necessary momentum.

Meanwhile, Miller brought up his fifty with a six over off a free hit. He scored 63 off 35 balls, with the help of seven fours and three sixes. Chakaravarthy was expensive on Sunday, going at 11.75 an over but he struck back with the important wicket of Miller.

A late charge from Tristan Stubbs, who knocked off an unbeaten 44 off 24 balls, took South Africa past the 180-mark.

In response, India failed to launch in the first six overs and were already in trouble at 31/3 after the PowerPlay.

Though Abhishek Sharma finally got off the mark, after three successive ducks in the tournament, he fell for 15. Corbin Bosch held on to brilliant running catch, despite colliding with teammate Keshav Maharaj, to dismiss the southpaw.

South Africa kept a lid on the explosive, and deep running, Indian batting line up. Dube, who had brought the fireworks during India's big win over the Netherlands at the same venue a few nights ago, was the only one with a substantial contribution, scoring 42.

For the Proteas, the pacers delivered in a clutch match, varying their pace brilliantly to keep the batters guessing. Lungi Ngidi conceded only 15 runs in his four overs, Marco Jansen was superb up front, dismissing Sharma and Tilak Varma, to finish with figures of 4/22 and Bosch claimed 2/12 in three overs.

Keshav Maharaj conceded a few runs but snapped three wickets, including that of the dangerous Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh within the space of three balls.

The Proteas next face the West Indies on Thursday (11.30am SAST).

South Africa Men’s Squad - ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Aiden Markram (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Quinton de Kock (DP World Lions), Marco Jansen (Momentum Multiply Titans), George Linde (World Sports Betting Western Province), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kwena Maphaka  (DP World Lions), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins) and Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors).