Team India’s T20 World Cup dreams hit a massive roadblock in Ahmedabad on Sunday, where they were skittled for just 111 while chasing South Africa’s 188 in a Super 8 showdown. The 76-run drubbing eclipses any prior T20 World Cup loss by runs for India, ending a proud unbeaten streak since the 2022 semis against England.
Batting woes under lights at Narendra Modi Stadium saw wickets tumble in heaps, with South Africa’s attack firing on all cylinders. This total enters infamous territory as India’s third-lowest in T20 World Cups: after 79 (vs NZ, 2016, Ahmedabad), 110 (vs NZ, 2021), ahead of 118 (vs SA, 2009) and 119 (vs Pak, 2024, New York—win).
The fallout is brutal: net run rate in the reds, semifinals now a steep climb. India must demolish Zimbabwe on February 26 in Chennai and West Indies on March 1 in Kolkata to stand any chance.
As post-match analysis begins, questions swirl around selection, mindset, and execution. Yet, with the pedigree of champions, India has the tools for redemption. The coming fixtures will define if this collapse is a blip or a bust in their World Cup journey.