India’s innings folded for 111 in 18.5 overs while chasing a stiff target of 188 against South Africa.
Team India suffered their first defeat of the T20 World Cup 2026, going down by 76 runs to South Africa in the Super 8 match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday (February 22)
The batting once again crumbled under pressure as India’s innings folded for 111 in 18.5 overs while chasing a stiff target of 188.
After India’s dismal show in the chase, legendary opener Virender Sehwag reminisced how Virat Kohli used to win such games in the previous editions of T20 World Cup.
"India have won chasing 160 only when Virat Kohli made runs. Otherwise, India have never won chasing more than 160 in a World Cup. And in most cases, he used to stay not out. Be it 80, 60, or 50 not out, Kohli used to finish the match. Which player finished the match yesterday (vs SA)? In this World Cup, which batsman has finished the match? Yesterday, many players had the opportunity to become Virat Kohli," Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.
"Tilak Varma had a chance. Suryakumar Yadav had a chance. Shivam Dube had a chance. Hardik Pandya had a chance. Someone has to become Virat Kohli. Someone has to finish the match. Someone has to learn. How did Virat Kohli finish games? We talk about strike rate. OK, I agree that strike rate matters. But when you chase, you can see the scoreboard. Then you can play as you wish and win the game. Then strike rate doesn't matter. So I think the players will have to take responsibility.
"Be it Suryakumar Yadav - he doesn't play like he played against South Africa... It felt like Suryakumar Yadav was playing under pressure. He was playing to save. If you play like that, it is difficult to win. India will have to play fearless cricket," he further remarked.
The defending champions are now facing a must-win situation in their remaining Super 8 fixtures 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 severe hit after the thrashing at the hands of Proteas.
India will face Zimbabwe in their next Super 8 clash on February 26 at Chepauk, followed by the West Indies on March 1 in Kolkata.