India risk an early exit from T20 World Cup 2026 if they stumble against Zimbabwe
Abhishek Sharma endures a poor run with just 15 runs in four innings
Spin continues to trouble India, losing 19 wickets to slow bowlers, including 12 to off-spin
South Africa’s result could simplify India’s path as NRR may decide the semi-finalists
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 is entering the make-or-break stage, as home favourites India face a shock early exit if they slip up in their match against spirited underdogs Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Before the co-hosts go up against Zimbabwe, South Africa will face West Indies in Ahmedabad. Ahead of the crucial Super 8 encounters, let’s take a look at the talking points and headlines that you might have missed from the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026:
Will Abhishek Regain Form Soon?
While India as a whole have been pretty good in the T20 World Cup – barring their 76-run loss to South Africa – one player who is yet to get going is opener Abhishek Sharma. The 25-year-old southpaw registered three ducks in his first three matches, an astonishing statistic for one of the best players in the shortest format.
Against South Africa, Abhishek opened his tournament account with a boundary against Aiden Markram. However, instead of using it as a launching pad in the Super 8, he got a top edge off a Marco Jansen delivery that was taken by Corbin Bosch, departing for just 15 runs.
15 runs in four matches do not make for pretty reading, but if India are to win their next two games against Zimbabwe and West Indies, the Men in Blue need Abhishek back in form sooner rather than later.
India’s Spin Woes
Widely considered the favourites to defend their T20 World Cup title, India’s campaign has been derailed by quality spin attacks. India have lost 19 wickets in this tournament to spinners, with 12 of them coming against off-spinners.
The left-heavy nature of India’s top order – Abhishek, Ishan Kishan, and Tilak Varma – has led to off-break bowlers enjoying a lot of success early on. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, despite getting no wickets in his last three games, will be looking forward to ending his dry spell against India.
Indians Back South Africa
Fate has a cruel sense of irony. Having lost badly to South Africa, Team India’s path to qualification will be much easier if the Proteas beat West Indies in their upcoming Super 8 match. If South Africa win, they will move to four points and seal a place in the semi-finals. Then, India will also qualify if they win their next two games.
However, if West Indies win, India will not only need to win their next two matches but win them by big margins as Net Run Rate (NRR) will come into play. So, the Indian fans will cheer for South Africa when they take the field against the Windies at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Pitch Betrays Sri Lanka Tactics
It is quite something to see the subcontinent teams faltering on their own pitches in the T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka have used spin with lethal effectiveness, but against New Zealand, they came undone against the Kiwi spinners.
Dasun Shanaka, having won the toss, opted to field first. This decision was likely taken with the view that the ball will come onto the bat easily. However, as Mitchell Santner later explained, the ball “probably spun more than we both thought”.
So, New Zealand’s first-half total of 168/7 was quite above-par. Sri Lanka’s chase never got off the ground, with Rachin Ravindra’s superb spell of 4/19 restricting them to 107/8. The loss also confirmed their exit from the tournament.
Salman Agha Faces Fan Abuse
Pakistan suffered a two-wicket loss to England in their previous Super 8 match. This, combined with New Zealand’s win over Sri Lanka on Wednesday, means the Green Shirts need something of a miracle to qualify for the semi-finals. They need to beat Sri Lanka by a margin of 70 runs or more, while hoping England beat New Zealand.
However, before this crucial phase of matches, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha has faced a barrage of online abuse from his own fans. His wife shared on Instagram that Pakistani fans had sent threatening messages to Salman and his family after their recent loss.
“It is totally unacceptable and the cyber crimes wing should investigate these threatening posts and punish them,” former captain Moin Khan said.
