Miller, SA hand India their biggest defeat T20 World Cup defeat with crushing 76-run win in Super 8

India suffered a crushing 76-run defeat at the hands of South Africa in their first Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi stadium on February 22. Notably, this was India's biggest defeat in the T20 World Cup history.

South Africa bully India in Super 8

South Africa rode on David Miller's blistering 35-ball 63 to post a challenging total of 187/7. In reply, India's batting order crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for mere 111.

Biggest defeat for India in T20 World Cups (by runs):

76 runs vs SA Ahmedabad 2026
49 runs vs Aus Bridgetown 2010
47 runs vs NZ Nagpur 2016

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India will next face Zimbabwe on February 26 before taking on West Indies on March 1. Meanwhile, South Africa will face West Indies on February 26 before locking horns with Zimbabwe on March 1.

Proteas bowlers break India's back

The Indian top order collapsed under the collective pressure of a disciplined Proteas attack. Captain Aiden Markram set the tone early by dismissing Ishan Kishan for a duck; the opener fell to a delivery that stopped on the surface, resulting in a poorly executed cross-batted shot. This was quickly followed by the exit of Tilak Varma, whose aggressive approach throughout the tournament backfired. Varma lasted just two balls, losing his wicket after an ill-advised charge at Marco Jansen and compounding the error by wasting a DRS review on a clear edge.

The middle-order struggles continued as Abhishek Sharma, despite getting his first World Cup runs, appeared completely out of sorts before being deceived by a knuckleball from Jansen. The tactical gamble to include Washington Sundar over regular vice-captain Axar Patel also proved disastrous, as Sundar failed to impact the game with either bat or ball. Even skipper Suryakumar Yadav found himself stifled; his 18 off 22 balls highlighted his inability to find gaps on the difficult pitch, eventually ending with a disappointing flick to mid-wicket off the bowling of Corbin Bosch.

By the time India slipped to 51/5, the match appeared to be effectively over. However, all-rounders Hardik Pandya (18 off 17) and Shivam Dube (42 off 37) remained at the crease, offering a faint glimmer of hope for a comeback. The pair managed to add 35 runs for the sixth wicket, but their efforts were ultimately stifled by the exceptional tactical planning of South African coach Shukri Conrad.

South Africa's pace battery executed their death-over strategy with precision. Lungi Ngidi and Corbin Bosch bombarded the Indian power-hitters with wide yorkers at varying speeds, making it nearly impossible for Pandya and Dube to find their rhythm or clear the boundaries. Ngidi was particularly effective, finishing his four-over spell with remarkably economical figures of 0/15.

The pressure intensified as spinner Keshav Maharaj adjusted his approach, slowing down his pace and pulling back his length. This subtle shift made it difficult for the batters to get underneath the ball and generate the necessary power for big hits. Maharaj’s strategy paid off handsomely as he claimed 3/24, including the crucial wickets of Pandya and Rinku Singh in quick succession. As the final wickets fell, the crowd of approximately 91,000 began a somber exit from the Narendra Modi Stadium, marking another disappointing World Cup night for the hosts at this venue.

David Miller's special knock in South Africa's win

Earlier, South Africa overcame a shaky start to post a competitive total 187/7 against India. After being sent in to bat, the Proteas found themselves in early trouble at 20-3 as India’s pace attack struck quickly. However, David Miller and Dewald Brevis turned the game around with a vital 97-run partnership. Brevis contributed a brisk 45 off 29 balls, including three sixes, while Miller anchored the middle overs before falling for 63 off 35 deliveries.

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India’s bowling performance was highlighted by a masterclass from Jasprit Bumrah, who finished with remarkable figures of 3-15. Bumrah broke the early deadlock by bowling Quinton de Kock for six and later utilized a barrage of precision yorkers to stifle the South African lower order. Arshdeep Singh also played a key role early on, removing both skipper Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton to keep the pressure high during the powerplay.

Despite the clinical bowling at one end, South Africa managed a late surge to spoil India's momentum. After Shivam Dube dismissed Brevis and Varun Chakravarthy claimed Miller, Tristan Stubbs took charge. Stubbs played an explosive unbeaten cameo of 44 from 24 balls, punctuated by back-to-back sixes off Hardik Pandya in the final two deliveries of the innings. His late-innings fireworks propelled South Africa to 187/7, which proved too much for India in the end.