![South Africa will bowl first vs WI [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1772096565675_SAVsWItoss.jpg?type=hq)
South Africa will bowl first vs WI [Source: AFP]
In a significant development, South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first against the West Indies in their second Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2026. At toss, South African captain Aiden Markram reckoned that his side would field first in order to make the most of the conditions at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The West Indies have made a significant change to the lineup, replacing Akeal Hosein with all-rounder Roston Chase. On the other hand, South Africa have gone with an unchanged playing XI, persisting with the same combination that defeated India.
Considering South Africa have three left-handers- Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton and David Miller- the West Indies have taken a smart decision to bring in off-spinner Roston Chase.
WI Vs SA Toss: Captains' thoughts
At toss, South African skipper Aiden Markram revealed that his side would look forward to capitalise on the conditions of Ahmedabad, having played four out of five T20 World Cup matches at the venue.
"We will bowl first. It looks like a pretty good wicket. We’ve played here a couple of times before, and it feels slightly tacky, so hopefully the moisture reduces as the game goes on, and we’ll be able to chase nicely later.
"(On familiarity with the venue and conditions) We’ve been fortunate to play a few matches here, although each surface has behaved differently. The game against India, for example, was completely different. So while familiarity helps, it still comes down to executing well based on what the conditions offer. The boys have been adapting nicely, which is encouraging," Markram said.
On the other hand, the West Indies captain Shai Hope urged his troops to take it as a challenge and post a formidable score on the board.
"[On batting first] Just feel we have to put runs on the board again. We don't mind batting first. [Changes and the reason behind them] Roston Chase comes in place of Akeal Hosein. Certainly, he isn't dropped. He has been performing well. Just a tactical change because of the opposition and the conditions," Hope said.
"[On facing South Africa] We have to play our best cricket today. They are playing good cricket. We just have to keep performing and carry forward the momentum," he added.
WI Vs SA Toss: Playing XIs
West Indies Playing XI: Brandon King, Shai Hope (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, and Shamar Joseph.
South Africa Playing XI: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Keshav Maharaj.
The WI vs SA game will simplify the Group 2 semifinal qualification scenarios, as India would root for a South African win. The Men in Blue are set to face Zimbabwe in a must-win contest at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai this evening.
Also read: Bellerive Oval, Hobart, Pitch Report, Weather Report For IND-W Vs AUS-W - 2nd ODI, 2026
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