South Africa Playing XI Vs India- T20 World Cup 2026, Super 8 Match 3- Kagiso Rabada Dropped?

South Africa playing XI Vs India for T20 WC Super 8 [Source: AFP]

Two unbeaten teams will collide on Sunday as India and South Africa will lock horns in match 3 of the T20 World Cup Super 8 stage. Both sides won all their games in the group stage and will enter the Super 8 oozing in confidence. However, it won't be an understatement to say that the Proteas had a better run as compared to India.

While the Indian team suffered minor hiccups against the USA and even the Netherlands, South Africa steamrolled their opponents and had an easier path towards the next round of the T20 World Cup. However, despite this, the team has a couple of chinks in their armour, and for the crucial game against India, they could be looking for a change.

Hence, here is South Africa’s probable XI for the T20 World Cup Super 8 match against the reigning World Champions.

South Africa Playing XI Vs India- Super 8 Match 3

Openers and top order: Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton

One of the strongest top orders in the entire T20 World Cup, South Africa boasts a fearsome threesome in the form of Markram, Quinton de Kock, and Ryan Rickelton. While de Kock has blown hot and cold in the tournament, expect the southpaw to bounce back against his favourite opponent, India.

On the other hand, Markram has been Proteas’ best batter in the T20 World Cup, and will hold the key against the Indian attack in the powerplay. He is the fourth-highest run-getter in the ongoing tournament, and the Indian attack will need to deal with his explosive batting.

There is also Rickelton at 3, who is known for his fiery batting and is an exceptional player of spin, a trait that makes him a useful commodity for South Africa.

Middle order and all-rounders: Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Corbin Bosch

It is in the middle-order where the Proteas are likely to make a couple of changes. In their last group stage match against the UAE, the team made a plethora of changes, with Jason Smith getting a chance in place of Miller.

However, with a crucial game against India, South Africa needs the experience of Miller in the middle-order, and he will be back in the setup against one of his favourite opponent.

Stubbs and Brevis will continue to hold the fort in the middle-order as the dynamic pair will be the main aggressors against the Indian bowling lineup.

On a flat Ahmedabad wicket, South Africa will look to bat deep, and as a result, Corbin Bosch, and Jansen will be used as power-hitters. Jansen was rested for the last game, but he, too, will be back against India.

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Bowlers: Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi

Kagiso Rabada has been a disappointment in the ongoing T20 World Cup, and against India, he has a dismal T20I record. Lungi Ngidi, the star of their bowling attack, was rested for the UAE clash and against India, the team needs their best bowler, and Ngidi is going to be included in place of Rabada.

A pacer with an express pace is always a luxury to have, and South Africa has Anrich Nortje in their arsenal. The tearaway pacer could cause trouble for the Indian batters, especially if he hurries them with pace. While Ngidi can focus on seam-up deliveries, Nortje will aim to dismantle India with sheer pace.

South Africa Playing XI Vs India- Super 8, Match 3, T20 World Cup 2026

Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje

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