Suryakumar Yadav Morne Morkel Gautam Gambhir for India. Image Credits: X
Team India slipped to a huge 76-run defeat against South Africa in their opening Super 8 match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on February 22. Once a firm contender to lift the trophy, the Suryakumar Yadav-led India side now has to win each of their remaining two Super 8 fixtures against Zimbabwe and West Indies in a bid to make it to the playoffs.
As per a Pakistani player, the ‘Men in Blue’ are as good as out of the competition’s semifinal race already. The Pakistan cricketer in question also praised India’s legendary paceman Jasprit Bumrah for sending down a tight spell in the high-scoring South Africa innings at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
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“India won’t even make the semifinals” predicts Ahmed Shehzad
Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad believes Team India’s chances of making it to the semi-finals of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup are as good as over. The expert stated the same after the defending champions got their 12-match unbeaten run in the tournament halted by South Africa in Ahmedabad on February 22.
Ahmed Shehzad also praised Jasprit Bumrah for “saving” the hosts in the bowling department, considering the legendary paceman conceded just 15 runs with three wickets from his four overs even though the Proteas mounted 187-7.
While speaking on the Pakistan sports show ‘Haarna Mana Hai’, Shehzad said, “India should praise Jasprit Bumrah, he saved them in bowling. All this poor gameplay today, it's mostly Gautam Gambhir poor decisions. If this continues, I'm telling you, India won't even make the semi-finals.”
Ahmed Shehzad echoes Mohammad Amir’s sentiments
Incidentally, Ahmed Shehzad is not the first Pakistan cricketer who has quashed India’s semi-final chances in his prediction. Earlier this month on the same Pakistani TV show, fast bowler Mohammad Amir stated that Team India can lose to any team in the Super 8 and might struggle to make it to the top 4.
Amir even gave a detailed explanation behind his verdict, stating that the hosts have suffered a batting collapse in all their matches this 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, barring in the one against Pakistan.
The veteran paceman said, “Aap jitne matches dekh len, siway Pakistan wale, innki batting collapse kar rahi hai. Ab Super 8 me aur zyada pressure wale games hain. Mujhe lagta hai ke yeh kisi bhi team se haar sakte hain.”
India heads into unfamiliar territory after South Africa defeat
After losing to South Africa by 76 runs in Ahmedabad, Team India cannot afford another slip-up in the remainder of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The defending champions also suffered a major blow to their NRR with the defeat, as it currently reads a dismal -3.800.
The ‘Men in Blue’ now have to win each of their remaining two Super 8 games in a bid to make it to the semi-finals. On February 26 in Chennai, Suryakumar Yadav and co. will go up against Zimbabwe, before facing West Indies in Kolkata on March 1.
Finding themselves in such a ‘must-win’ territory is not something the Indian team has had to deal with in quite some time in ICC events. Renowned for topping the points table in multi-nation tournaments, the side had suffered just one defeat across their previous three ICC tournaments combined prior to the loss against South Africa.
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