Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium sets the stage for an epic India-South Africa Super 8 encounter in T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday. After sweeping their group matches, both teams enter as favorites under Suryakumar Yadav and Aiden Markram’s leadership.
India’s batting firepower is evident: Ishan Kishan’s 176 runs (SR 202) and Suryakumar’s 162 have set the tone. Varun Chakaravarthy’s 9 wickets make him indispensable in the spin department.
Markram’s 178 runs (SR 187) headline South Africa’s charge, though their pacers like Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje must fire to contain India.
Pitch insights: True to its reputation, Motera loves batsmen. Average scores – 173 batting first, 151 chasing. India’s 176 vs Netherlands was a classic example of boundary-hitting frenzy.
Mausam update: Crystal clear, zero rain risk – perfect for a complete match packed with drama.
India’s probable playing XI and bench: Capt Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah; bench – Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Mohammed Siraj.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Jason Smith, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, George Linde; bench – Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton.
Anticipation builds for what could be the tournament’s defining game.