Despite finishing as the unbeaten side in the group stage of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at home, India didn’t make a strong start in the Super 8 clash against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as they faced a massive 76-run defeat. They got bundled out for 111 in the chase of 188 runs and now have a net run rate of -3.800. 

Now the question stands if they can go on to qualify for the semifinals of the event. The concern for the Blue Brigade is that West Indies, on the very next evening, claimed a massive 107-run win over Zimbabwe at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and is at the top of the points table for a NRR of +5.350.

See Also: No T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal in India? ICC changes schedule in middle of competition

India will hope to get to the easiest way and see the Proteas winning their next encounter against the Shai Hope-led side at the Narendra Modi Stadium in the afternoon, before which the Indian side, under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, face the Sikandar Raza-led side at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Know equations of India imporving their NRR during IND vs ZIM T20 WC 2026

In case the Proteas lost to the West Indies, the question would be how India would improve their net run rate. At the moment, if India bats first in Chennai, for a net run rate of 0.01, they need to win by 77 runs, which is one more than their margin of defeat against the Rainbow Nations.

Otherwise, if India bats second, they would need to chase the score of 101 runs in 7.1 overs. In case the chase remains of 121 runs, the defending champions will need to complete the chase by 8.4 overs. On the other hand, for the chase of 141 runs, they will need to get the runs at the halfway mark.

If the target gets to 161, the chase will need to finish by 11.3 overs, while for the 181-run target, the second innings for the Blue Brigade will need to end in 12.5 overs or less. This will be the only solution for the side if the West Indies somehow beat the Proteas on February 26.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken a leaf out of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to change the venue in the middle of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. In the new trend, co-hosts Sri Lanka could feature in a home semifinal, if they make it to that stage, depending on who they play against and who else qualifies for that spot. The ICC has changed its original schedule and the playing conditions.

If Sri Lanka is drawn to meet anyone apart from India, and if Pakistan doesn’t make it to the semifinal, then the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo will host that semifinal contest. The ICC has confirmed the semifinals logistics to all the stakeholders after the Super-Eight teams were confirmed last week.

See Also: Watch: 'Limit to hypocrisy...'- Aakash Chopra slams England players over Pakistan players' participation in The Hundred 2026

“Semi-final 1 is a floating arrangement with the match to be held in either Colombo or Kolkata. If Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals, they will play in semi-final 1 in Colombo on 4 March. If Pakistan does not qualify for the semi-finals, but Sri Lanka does qualify and play anyone other than India, then Sri Lanka will play in semi-final 1 in Colombo.” The ICC released a statement.

R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo could host T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal

That marks a change to the schedule that was announced in November, which made the provision only for Pakistan to play their semifinal and final in Sri Lanka, but made no mention of what would happen if the Dasun Shanaka-led side reached the knockouts.

“If Pakistan qualifies for the semi-finals, Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium will replace Kolkata as the host of Semi-Final 1. Should Pakistan reach the final, that venue will also shift from Ahmedabad to Colombo. If India and Pakistan meet in the semi-finals, that match will be staged in Colombo, while Mumbai will host Semi-Final 2 involving India if they face any team other than Pakistan.” The old press release is addressed.

Notably, both the co-hosts have lost their opening clashes of the Super 8 stage. Sri Lanka were blown away in Kandy against England, while India fell flat against South Africa in Ahmedabad. The Blue Brigade finds itself on thin ice in that order of qualification.

West Indies came into their opening encounter of the Super 8 stage of the game from the T20 World Cup 2026 against Zimbabwe at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai with brutal power and unbeaten run. On a flat surface, the Zimbabwe captain, Sikandar Raza, won the toss and decided to put the opponents in, expecting the dew play its role in the second innings. 

West Indies finished with 19 sixes in 20 overs, out of which seven came from the bat of Shimron Hetmyer. Who now has 17 sixes in the ongoing edition of the game. That is now the joint-most over boundaries by any batter along with Nicholas Pooran’s 2024 season of the event. One of the best shot of the game from the southpaw went 108-meters into the stands.

See Also: Watch: 'Limit to hypocrisy...'- Aakash Chopra slams England players over Pakistan players' participation in The Hundred 2026

West Indies finished with 254/6 in their allotted 20 overs of the innings, which remains the second highest score in the history of the competition. They remain only after Sri Lanka’s 260/6 against Kenya at the Bullring in Wanderers from the inaugural edition of the competition.

West Indies record joint-most sixes in one T20 World Cup 2026 innings 

West Indies’ 19 sixes is the joint-most hit in a T20 World Cup innings along with Netherlands’ 19 against Ireland t Sylhet in the 2014 edition. This was also the highest T20I total against the Zimbabwe side, bettering the 234/2 by the Indian side in 2024 at the Harare Sports Club.

Watch the video here: 

@StarSportsIndia pic.twitter.com/vub4vS0sX3

— Cricket Everywhere✍🏻 (@Subhamk79241601) February 23, 2026

Hetmyer was well supported by Rovman Powell, the former T20I captain of the side, who nailed 59 runs in just 35 balls with the help of four fours and as many sixes. Even Romario Shepherd cracked 21 runs off 10 balls with three sixes as they crossed the 250-run mark in the innings.

The bowling wasn’t great at all as captain Raza leaked 52 runs in three overs without any success, while the two new ball bowlers, Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani, ended with the combined bowling figures of 4/89 in their eight overs. Graeme Creamer was decent with the ball, thanks to 1/38 in his four overs.

Brief Scores: WI 254/6 (Shimron Hetmyer 85, Rovman Powell 59, Blessing Muzarabani 2/42) vs ZIM 20/3 (Marumani 14, Akeal Hossein 2/10) 

Brian Bennett has been part of some electrifying catches in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 as he displayed perhaps the catch of the competition against Oman in their very first game of the campaign. At the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai during their Super 8 clash of the event, Bennett produced another such iconic shot, which produced an important wicket at that stage.

It was the final over of the powerplay from Brad Evans against Shai Hope, who smashed the fourth ball of the over into the boundary. However, after Hope miscued the shot in the air while slogging across the line as it went wide of the deep mid-wicket fielder, Brian Bennett came charging in.

See Also: Afghanistan announce white-ball series against this Asian side post T20 World Cup 2026

The fielder had to cover a lot of ground to his left and had to put in the dive, and he managed to pull it off as he also fell on the ground, but did not put the ball away from his hand to send back the batter on 14 runs in 12 deliveries.

Brian Bennett takes sensational catch in ZIM vs WI T20 World Cup 2026

West Indies did not make a great start with the bat, having been put into bat first after Zimbabwe’s captain Sikander Raza, who won the toss and decided to field first, thought his surface would be better to chase in the deep night with the dew arriving.

Watch the video here: 

What a moment in the field! Brian Bennett takes a screamer to dismiss Shai Hope. ⚡

ICC Men's #T20WorldCup | SUPER 8 | #ZIMvWI | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/vCrA64jJ8c pic.twitter.com/MUyKnQlQVS

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 23, 2026

Brendan King was dismissed for nine runs with the help of one six as his nightmarish form continued in the event, while the captain returned for 14 runs. But since then, it was a show of the former captain Rovman Powell and Shimron Hetmyer, who had been in sensational touch.

Powell celebrated his fifty in just 29 balls with the help of four boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 175, while Hetmyer was unbeaten on 79 runs in 32 balls, scoring seven fours and six sixes at a strike rate of 175. Their partnership for the third wicket added 115 runs in nearly eight overs.

Brief Scores: WI 179/3 (Shimron Hetmyer 85, Rovman Powell 51, Richard Ngarva 1/27) vs Zimbabwe. 

Just five days after the scheduled end of the T20 World Cup 2026, Afghanistan will face Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series, followed by as many ODIs. The 20-over games will take place at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium before the action moves to the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. 

Through the press release, the cricket governing body reckoned that it would be the first meeting between the two sides in the bilateral series as they continue to grow in the game, having kept several future plans in hand. Naseeb Khan, the CEO of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, reflected on the series.

See Also: ‘Disappointed with…’- Sunil Gavaskar suggests India’s Playing XI vs ZIM in T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash

“We are delighted to host Sri Lanka for the first time in our history. This event reflects the strength of our collaboration with the Sri Lanka Cricket Board, and we are committed to further strengthening our relationship to provide a high-quality cricket experience in the future. Sri Lanka has been playing excellent cricket recently, and we look forward to what promises to be a competitive white-ball series between two quality sides.” Naseeb Khan expressed.

Afghanistan to host Sri Lanka for three T20Is and three ODIs

The Sri Lanka board is also equally excited for the series. The ODI series could be an issue for several Afghanistan players, who are expected to be part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, potentially beginning on March 26.

“Additionally, the series is fundamental to our mission as we begin to further build our team and enhance key areas that need improvement. Our primary goal is to prepare the team for the major ICC and ACC events and the numerous bilateral commitments scheduled over the next two years.” Naseeb was informed in the same press release.

“Bilateral cricket is an important element in international cricket, and we are extremely happy to be a part of this historic tour, as this is the first time Sri Lanka is engaging in a bilateral series hosted by Afghanistan.” CEO of the SLC, Ashley De Silva, addressed. 

Sri Lanka’s tour of Afghanistan 2026

The former Indian opening batter, Sunil Gavaskar, has suggested the home management should make one change of bringing back Axar Patel in place of Washington Sundar in the playing eleven for the second Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. 

Sundar bowled only two overs in the first innings and couldn’t contribute with the bat in the middle order. It was addressed as a tactical change by captain Suryakumar Yadav to drop the home boy Axar, who was excellent with the bat against this same side in the T20 WC 2024 final.

See Also: Watch: ‘People felt bad…’- Mohammad Amir clarifies ‘slogger’ remark on Abhishek Sharma with advice in T20 World Cup 2026

“I would look at bringing Axar Patel back into the playing XI, keeping in mind the lack of too many left-handed batters in Zimbabwe’s line-up. You could possibly bring him in place of Arshdeep Singh. But Arshdeep bowled so well against South Africa and you wouldn’t want to change somebody who looked in such good rhythm. So, maybe they might not make a change and go with the same team.” Gavaskar expressed on Star Sports.

Sunil Gavaskar blames Tilak Varma’s approach in IND vs SA T20 WC 2026

Gavaskar felt that Tilak should have shown a measured approach with the bat rather than a fiery batting. Varma used his feet and ended up getting an edge to wicket-keeper batter, which was another big blow to the unit.

“But I feel Washington Sundar will be the one to miss out. He is not being used properly. Against South Africa, he bowled just two overs and did nothing with the bat. Against Netherlands, he bowled four overs but took no wickets. I think the time has run out for Washington Sundar. Axar Patel will surely replace him.” The former Indian opener added.

“Tilak Varma has been a very street-smart batter. But I was disappointed with his approach in this game. Ishan Kishan lost his wicket in the first over. The required rate was around 9.5 runs per over, not 15. So, Tilak could have given himself more time. At the other end, Abhishek Sharma had back-to-back ducks. So, the responsibility was on Tilak to stick around.” Gavaskar concluded.

The former pacer of the Pakistan side, Mohammad Amir, has clarified his comments about slogger against Abhishek Sharma, as he acknowledged that many didn’t appreciate the remark. Highlighting the 76-run defeat against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Abhishek Sharma’s first ball boundary against the Proteas was his first run of the campaign. Amir also claimed that the deliveries that the southpaw hit were bad balls, and once he was up against the good over of Kagiso Rabada, the issue started.

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“I was talking about him from the point of view of a bowler. I was talking about his technique. People felt bad because I used the word slogger. By that, I meant his technique is such that a good team, a bunch of good bowlers, can trap him. Look at the 14 runs he scored; he scored all of them on one side. The balls he hit were bad. But when Rabada started bowling well, he was not able to figure it out.” Amir expressed in a show.

Mohammad Amir gives vital advice to Abhishek Sharma amid his poor form in T20 WC 2026

Abhishek missed out on a game in the World Cup due to a stomach infection, but has continued to struggle to find the full flow with the bat. Their assistant coach, Ryan Ten Doeschate, has reflected the same ahead of the Zimbabwe clash.

Watch the video here: 

🚨 MOHAMMAD AMIR ADVICE TO ABHISHEK SHARMA 🚨

"As a senior player, my advice to Abhishek Sharma is very simple, Int'l cricket always exposes your technique. You need patience and you need to play according to the ball"

What's your take 🤔 #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/l2HvCkzVdX

— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) February 23, 2026

“Abhishek is a good player. Even after bagging three ducks, he has the same intent. He did not go on the back foot. He is positive. As a senior player, if my message goes to him, I will tell him: Your technique gets exposed in international cricket. If you can show some patience and play the ball on its merit, then it will be better.” Amir added.

“I think Abhi's preparation coming into the World Cup with the food poisoning that he had at one stage has obviously hampered his progress in terms of where we want him to be at this phase. You want him to be up and running and sort of confident in his swing and confident in his game plan, and when you score three zeros, that is going to start weighing on you.” Ryan Ten Doeschate revealed in the press conference.

The former opening batter of the Indian side, Aakash Chopra, has questioned the team selection of the defending champions for their opening clash of the Super 8 stage in the T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The management decided to keep Axar Patel out of the place of Washington Sundar. 

Axar Patel was the vice-captain of the Blue Brigade, and dropping the veteran was a shocking decision. Meanwhile, Sundar bowled only two overs in the innings for no wickets and gave away 17 runs besides failing to contribute with the bat in the middle order when required. Chopra questions the entire process.

See Also: Indian umpire Anil Chaudhury to feature in new film? Blockbuster poster drops bombshell during T20 World Cup 2026

“Where were we left behind? The first thing that comes to my mind is, what team are we playing? You have appointed Axar Patel the vice-captain. If he is your team's vice-captain, why isn't he a part of the team? You needn't have made him the vice-captain.” Chopra expressed in a video on his YouTube channel.

Akash Chopra questions India’s decision to drop Axar Patel vs SA in T20 WC 2026

Chopra also reckoned that two of the three left-handed batters of the SA side got dismissed in the first four overs, while the Proteas opted to go for the left-arm spinner, Keshav Maharaj, despite having six southpaws in the Indian line-up.

“You made him sit out in the last match. Never mind, as Washi hadn't played for such a long time, and you played him since you were playing against the Netherlands, but you made him sit out against South Africa. You said it's becoming a negative match-up as there are three left-handers in the opposition.” Chopra addressed this in the same video.

“Sir, two of the three left-handers bat in the top three, and both were out in two overs. We have six left-handers among our eight batters, and South Africa said they would play Keshav Maharaj because he is their main bowler. They said they won't make Keshav sit out because he is important. For you, your vice-captain is not important. How is that okay?” The former opener elaborated.

The Indian umpire, Anil Chaudhury, is going to feature in a movie as Epic Films Entertainment has revealed the poster of the new movie called ‘Goli toh chalegi’, which is coming into the cinemas very soon. The poster also has a tagline of- ‘Pehle ungli uthti thi toh batsman OUT hota tha, Ab ungli uthegi toh kahani khatam hogi.’

Anil Chaudhury, in the past, made a guest appearance in the crime thriller series called CID, which is known for enforcing the laws of the land and making decisions on the field. That time, a picture went viral on social media showing him in a black suit and matching sunglasses, sharing the flame of the legendary character ACP Pradyuman, played by veteran actor Shivaji Satam.

See Also: Watch: Mahieka Sharma claps after Hardik Pandya's dismissal in IND vs SA T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash

Anil has been part of 12 Test matches- four of which have been as the umpire in the field and eight of them as the third umpire. He has also officiated 49 ODIs and 64 T20Is, along with one women’s Test match and eleven women’s ODIs. In terms of first-class cricket, Anil has stood in 91 games, while in the shortest format, he has been part of 278 games.

Anil Chaudhary to appear in film amidst T20 WC 2026

After he retired from international umpiring, he opened his new YouTube channel, where he has spoken about various rules and regulations of the umpiring and the decisions that many international players are not aware of.

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A post shared by EPIC FILMS AND ENTERTAINMENT PVT LTD (@epicfilms_entertainment)

Meanwhile, India lost their opening Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This puts them in a difficult position to qualify for the semifinal of the tournament, having been hit by a damaged net run rate of -3.800.

South Africa posted 187 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to David Miller’s fine knock of 63 runs at a strike rate of 180, while none of the Indian batters could stand out and put a strong score on the board.

India’s premier lower-order batter, Hardik Pandya, under pressure of the required run rate, tried to smash Keshav Maharaj for a massive six just after the drinks break. However, he didn’t get the elevation on the big shots and got dismissed, putting the curtain down to their hopes of winning the contest against South Africa in the Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 in Ahmedabad.

By the time Hardik Pandya was going back to the pavilion, a shocking picture was seen as it went viral on social media platforms. In that clip, Hardik’s girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma, was seen clapping. It was a shocking reaction from the individual as India went on to experience a 76-run defeat after getting bundled out for 111 in the chase of 187 runs.

See Also: Watch: Suryakumar Yadav engaged in serious conversation with coach Gautam Gambhir post defeat vs SA in T20 World Cup 2026

India had hopes when Pandya and Shivam Dube were at the crease, but once the former was dismissed, only one result was going to happen from there on. Maharaj, after the wicket of the all-rounder, got the wicket of Rinku Singh on the third ball of the 15th over and ended the game in that spot.

Mahieka Sharma claps post Hardik Pandya’s wickets in IND vs SA T20 WC 2026

South Africa didn’t make a good start with the bat, losing their top three batters, Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, and Ryan Rickelton, in three overs with only 20 runs on the board before David Miller and Dewald Brevis rescued them with the 97-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Watch the video here: 

pic.twitter.com/uUa2cksb8S

— Break_The_Bad (@NoContexhuman) February 22, 2026

Miller nailed 63 runs in 35 balls with the help of seven boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 180, while both Brevis and Tristan Stubbs contributed two vital and aggressive knocks of over 40 runs at a strike rate of over 150.

India got bundled out for 111 in reply as only Shivam Dube crossed the 25-run mark in the line-up. Most of their batters got the starts but couldn’t stretch it to a big score, and that was the main reason behind their struggle.

Brief Scores: SA 187/7 (David Miller 63, Dewald Brevis 45, Jasprit Bumrah 3/15) beat IND 111 (Shivam Dube 42, Marco Jansen 4/22) by 76 runs.