Match Details
SA vs WI, 47th T20I, Super 8 Group 1 T20, T20 WC 2026 live
West Indies
South Africa
Commentary
South Africa (Probable XI): Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch/George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
West Indies (Probable XI): Brandon King, Shai Hope (c and wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd/Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph
Preview by AkshayaKrishna Polya
South Africa are on a mission. The West Indies are also on a mission. People say they are sensing the 2016 vibe from the Windies at this global event. Barring Afghanistan, the rest of the opposition have been no match for the Proteas, while nobody has come close enough to dare to touch the Caribbean team. It has been that kind of tournament for both teams.
SA topped Group D, while WI dominated Group C. Both sides were unbeaten in the group stage and are still undefeated after one Super 8 fixture each, winning all five of their matches so far.
One of them will have to go down at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Thursday (February 26) when these two collide in one of the most vital contests of the Super 8, Group 1. The world will be watching this massive clash, and India have no choice but to roar for South Africa - a team that humbled them in the biggest cricket stadium on Sunday - as it's their best bet to stay alive in the tournament, given they manage to win their remaining two matches.
South Africa have a lot of experience playing at this venue, having played and won four matches in Ahmedabad. Their team combination has been perfect for this venue, and it appears to be a very settled XI.
On the other hand, the two-time champions are playing their first game at this venue in this marquee event. They might take a bit of time to adapt and settle down to this condition.
Recently, the Proteas won 2-1 in a three-match T20I series against the Shai Hope-led side back in South Africa, although it counts for nothing.
South Africa are coming off an unbelievable victory against none other than India. A 76-run scintillating win not only saw the Ahmedabad crowd go silent yet again, but also lifted their net run rate to +3.800.
Batting first, South Africa's in-form top order was sent packing inside four overs for 20. David Miller and Dewald Brevis counter-attacked, adding 97 for the fourth wicket. The former hit them as clean as a whistle and notched up a special half-century, while the latter teed off late but hit a valuable 45. Tristan Stubbs then cut loose in the death overs, propelling them to 187/7.
The Proteas then trusted the match-ups. Aiden Markram, with his off-spin, sent back the dangerous Ishan Kishan for a duck in the first over. SA never allowed India to breathe. KG Rabada, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj varied lengths, pace, and lines to perfection, shutting all possible doors for the hosts. Ngidi was superb with his slower ones, while Rabada was good in patches. Jansen snapped four wickets, while Maharaj took three in one over. Bosch did his bit as well, and a collective bowling display saw them bundle India out for just 111.
The Men in Maroon will be slightly worried about Brandon King's poor run of form that continued against Zimbabwe as well. Shai Hope looked positive and good during his little stay in the middle. Despite a poor start, the Windies cruised to 254/6 - the second-highest innings total in the T20 WC history on Monday at the Wankhede Stadium.
Shimron Hetmyer made merry of his two dropped chances and hit the fastest half-century by a West Indian in the T20 WCs, hammering 85 in just 34 balls. Rovman Powell found form and also slammed a fifty. The power-hitting all-rounders did what they do best, while Sherfane Rutherford continued his purple patch with outstanding stroke play.
Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie have been unplayable and were too hot to handle for the Chevrons, with both the left-arm spinners sharing 7 wickets. They will be key yet again, although SA have a few dangerous left-handed batters as a match-up that might favour Chase's selection. Matthew Forde, Shamar Joseph and Jason Holder have bowled decent enough in this competition.
That 107-run win against Zimbabwe not only gave the Windies two points but also took their net run rate to unreal +5.350.
Since this is an afternoon fixture, there could be a little tendency to bring an extra spinner - Roston Chase (WI) and George Linde (SA) - but it won't be a surprise if both stick to their winning combination.
Two teams which are in red-hot form going head-to-head is nothing but a guaranteed feast. Who will blink first? Which team will keep their unbeaten record intact and get a step closer to the knockouts? To know, join us at 2 PM IST and Local Time on Thursday for its live coverage!
South Africa are on a mission. The West Indies are also on a mission. People say they are sensing the 2016 vibe from the Windies at this global event. Barring Afghanistan, the rest of the opposition have been no match for the Proteas, while nobody has come close enough to dare to touch the Caribbean team. It has been that kind of tournament for both teams.
SA topped Group D, while WI dominated Group C. Both sides were unbeaten in the group stage and are still undefeated after one Super 8 fixture each, winning all five of their matches so far.
One of them will have to go down at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Thursday (February 26) when these two collide in one of the most vital contests of the Super 8, Group 1. The world will be watching this massive clash, and India have no choice but to roar for South Africa - a team that humbled them in the biggest cricket stadium on Sunday - as it's their best bet to stay alive in the tournament, given they manage to win their remaining two matches.
South Africa have a lot of experience playing at this venue, having played and won four matches in Ahmedabad. Their team combination has been perfect for this venue, and it appears to be a very settled XI.
On the other hand, the two-time champions are playing their first game at this venue in this marquee event. They might take a bit of time to adapt and settle down to this condition.
Recently, the Proteas won 2-1 in a three-match T20I series against the Shai Hope-led side back in South Africa, although it counts for nothing.
South Africa are coming off an unbelievable victory against none other than India. A 76-run scintillating win not only saw the Ahmedabad crowd go silent yet again, but also lifted their net run rate to +3.800.
Batting first, South Africa's in-form top order was sent packing inside four overs for 20. David Miller and Dewald Brevis counter-attacked, adding 97 for the fourth wicket. The former hit them as clean as a whistle and notched up a special half-century, while the latter teed off late but hit a valuable 45. Tristan Stubbs then cut loose in the death overs, propelling them to 187/7.
The Proteas then trusted the match-ups. Aiden Markram, with his off-spin, sent back the dangerous Ishan Kishan for a duck in the first over. SA never allowed India to breathe. KG Rabada, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj varied lengths, pace, and lines to perfection, shutting all possible doors for the hosts. Ngidi was superb with his slower ones, while Rabada was good in patches. Jansen snapped four wickets, while Maharaj took three in one over. Bosch did his bit as well, and a collective bowling display saw them bundle India out for just 111.
The Men in Maroon will be slightly worried about Brandon King's poor run of form that continued against Zimbabwe as well. Shai Hope looked positive and good during his little stay in the middle. Despite a poor start, the Windies cruised to 254/6 - the second-highest innings total in the T20 WC history on Monday at the Wankhede Stadium.
Shimron Hetmyer made merry of his two dropped chances and hit the fastest half-century by a West Indian in the T20 WCs, hammering 85 in just 34 balls. Rovman Powell found form and also slammed a fifty. The power-hitting all-rounders did what they do best, while Sherfane Rutherford continued his purple patch with outstanding stroke play.
Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie have been unplayable and were too hot to handle for the Chevrons, with both the left-arm spinners sharing 7 wickets. They will be key yet again, although SA have a few dangerous left-handed batters as a match-up that might favour Chase's selection. Matthew Forde, Shamar Joseph and Jason Holder have bowled decent enough in this competition.
That 107-run win against Zimbabwe not only gave the Windies two points but also took their net run rate to unreal +5.350.
Since this is an afternoon fixture, there could be a little tendency to bring an extra spinner - Roston Chase (WI) and George Linde (SA) - but it won't be a surprise if both stick to their winning combination.
Two teams which are in red-hot form going head-to-head is nothing but a guaranteed feast. Who will blink first? Which team will keep their unbeaten record intact and get a step closer to the knockouts? To know, join us at 2 PM IST and Local Time on Thursday for its live coverage!
Head-to-Head in T20Is:
Matches Played: 29
West Indies Won: 15
South Africa Won: 14
Matches Played: 29
West Indies Won: 15
South Africa Won: 14
South Africa Squad: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs (wk), Marco Jansen, George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Jason Smith, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka
West Indies Squad: Shai Hope (c and wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles (wk), Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd