The Suryakumar Yadav-led side was outclassed by the Proteas in all facets of the game.
Team India faced a humiliating 76-run defeat against South Africa in their Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday (February 22).
Chasing 188 to win, India’s innings folded for a paltry 111 in 18.5 overs. It was a listless batting display as no one beside Shivam Dube (42 off 37) managed to touch 20-run mark.
As a result, the defending champions are now facing a must-win situation in their remaining Super 8 fixtures against Zimbabwe and the West Indies to have any chance of reaching the semi-finals. Two back-to-back wins might also not be enough, as the Net Run Rate took a beating after the thrashing at the hands of Proteas.
After seeing India’s dismal show in Ahmedabad, former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf tipped his hat to ex-Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir, who had earlier predicted that Suryakumar Yadav-led side won’t be able to reach the semis.
While it remains to be seen if the prediction eventually turns out to be true or not, Yousuf dubbed Amir as a true “menace”, who is now rattling India from the studio.
“Oye @iamamirofficial, you menace! You tormented #India on the field, and now you’re rattling them from the studio. Let them breathe; they’re already under fire. South Africa, the finalists, have picked up right where they left off last #T20WorldCup. A formidable side! Top order stumbled, but the lower order delivered, and the bowling discipline was exceptional,” Yousuf posted on X.
Earlier, Amir had backed South Africa and West Indies to reach semi-finals from Group 1 while also explaining why India would find it tough to make it to the final-four.
“If you see their matches, the batting collapsed in all the games, barring the Pakistan contest. The pressure will rise in the Super 8 matches. The way in which South Africa and the West Indies have been playing, they can beat any team,” Amir said on the Darna Mana Hai show last week.
The Men in Blue will face Zimbabwe in their next Super 8 clash on February 22 at Chepauk, followed by the West Indies on March 1 in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.