India vs South Africa: Super 8 Clash Today
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Ahmedabad
- Feb 22, 2026
- 874
The third Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup will see India take on South Africa today at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match begins at 7:00 PM ET, with the toss scheduled for 6:30 PM ET.
The two sides were finalists in the previous edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. In the 2024 final, India posted 176/7 in 20 overs, while South Africa managed 168/8 in reply, handing India a thrilling seven-run victory and their first T20 World Cup title in 17 years.
Both teams enter this contest in commanding form. India topped their group with wins over USA, Namibia, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. South Africa dominated Group D, defeating Canada, Afghanistan, New Zealand, and the UAE.
India and South Africa first met in a T20 International on December 1, 2006, with India winning by six wickets. Since then, the two teams have played 35 T20Is — India have won 21, South Africa 13, while one match ended without a result. In T20 World Cup history, they have met seven times, with India winning five and South Africa two.
Ishan Kishan has been in superb form for India, scoring 176 runs in four matches, including a highest score of 77. Varun Chakravarthy has impressed with the ball, claiming nine wickets in four games. For South Africa, captain Aiden Markram has accumulated 178 runs in four matches, with an unbeaten 86 as his best. Lungi Ngidi has also been effective, taking eight wickets in three matches.
The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium is regarded as batting-friendly, offering a flat surface conducive to high scoring. Fast bowlers may extract early movement with the new ball, while spinners could find assistance during the middle overs. The venue has hosted 12 T20Is, with eight won by teams batting first. The highest total here is 234/4 by India against New Zealand in 2023, and the average first-innings score hovers around 190.
India have played nine T20Is at this ground, winning seven and losing two — both against England. They have also registered a 36-run victory over South Africa here in the past.
Weather conditions in Ahmedabad are expected to be pleasant, with mostly clear skies. The maximum temperature is forecast at 36°C and the minimum at 20°C. Dew could play a significant role during the evening.
A change in India’s playing XI is likely, with vice-captain Axar Patel expected to return after being rested. Washington Sundar may make way.
Probable Playing XIs
India: Ishan Kishan (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brewis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
Abhishek Sharma’s lean patch remains a concern, as he is yet to score in three matches. However, captain Suryakumar Yadav has publicly backed the young opener.
“I’m worried about those who are concerned about Abhishek Sharma. I’m more worried about the teams who will have to face him in the future. He did everything for the team last year; now it’s our turn to support him,” he said during a press conference on Saturday.