South Africa started their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a bang, thrashing West Indies by nine wickets on Thursday at Narendra Modi Stadium. Skipper Aiden Markram credited the bowlers for laying the foundation in tough, hot conditions.
Post-match, Markram said, ‘Bowling in the right zones with consistent length and energy was crucial. Powerplay dominance kept us ahead.’ West Indies posted 176/8, powered by Shepherd’s 52 and Holder’s 49, but South Africa’s bowlers struck back: Ngidi 3/30, Rabada 2/22, Bosch 2/31.
In reply, de Kock’s fiery 47 off 24 and Markram’s 82 off 46 – laced with seven boundaries and four maximums – built a 95-run opening stand. Rickelton’s unbeaten 45 off 28 guided the chase in 16.1 overs, losing only one wicket.
Praising de Kock, Markram emphasized top-order reliability. The toss win allowed bowling first, amplifying their strategy. This dominant outing highlights South Africa’s balanced squad, poised for more successes in the tournament.