South Africa beat India by 76 runs, defending 187/7 as India were bowled out for 111
The defeat ended India’s 12-match unbeaten run in T20 World Cup
India now face a must-win Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe in Chennai
India's winning streak at the ICC T20 World Cup ended on Sunday in a shambolic fashion as South Africa thrashed the defending champions by 76 runs in front of a packed Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
In a replay of the T20 World Cup 2024 final, which India won by seven runs to claim their second title, South Africa defended 187/7 with consummate ease. The win helped the Proteas set the pace in the Super 8, Group 1.
The two top teams from the four-team group qualify for the semi-finals. Former champions West Indies take on Zimbabwe in their Group 1 opener tomorrow.
India entered the contest on the back of an all-win group stage run -- marked by victories over the United States of America, Namibia, Pakistan and the Netherlands.
India's 12-Match Winning Streak Snapped By South Africa
But against an inspired Proteas side, Suryakumar Yadav & Co. came second best. And it ended India's T20 World Cup winning streak at 12. India were 21-13 up in the 35 T20 head-to-head count, and had also won their recent five-match series 3-1.
India's wheels came off dramatically in one of the most-anticipated clashes. They were dismissed for 111 all out in 18.5 overs for their biggest T20 World Cup defeat by runs.
Chasing for the first time in the T20 World Cup 2026, India lost opener Ishan Kishan in the first over, and by the 10th over, half the team was back in the head. And they never recovered.
This also marked India's first defeat in a multi-nation T20I tournament since losing the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-finals against England in Adelaide, Australia.
They were victorious 21 times in 23, including one Super Over across the two limited-overs formats.
Up next, both teams will take the field on Thursday. India will head to Chennai to take on Zimbabwe, while South Africa 'host' the West Indies in Ahmedabad.
The Proteas have played four of five matches at Narendra Modi Stadium with a trip to Delhi for their group-stage win against the United Arab Emirates before the India match.
