LIVE: South Africa land early blows against India

One of the most-anticipated clashes of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 will unfold on Sunday, as India takes on South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

In the 35 matches they have played so far, India enjoy a 21-13 head-to-head edge over the Proteas. India also won their recent five-match series 3-1.

India versus South Africa is a repeat of the 2024 final, where India scored a narrow seven-run win to claim their second T20 World Cup.

India v South Africa

Scorecard

After being put into field, India made a strong start, reducing South Africa to 20/3 and holding them to 41/3 in powerplay.

It was pacer Jasprit Bumrah who once again gave India a dream start. He castled Quinton de Kock and returned with the wicket of Ryan Rickelton for an incredible opening spell of 2/7 in two overs. With figures of 3/15, Bumrah is now India's highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cups with 33 scalps.

The Proteas scripted a comeback through a 97-run partnership (off 51 balls) between David Miller and Dewald Brevis. South Africa took on the spinners, scoring 50 runs off five overs from Varun Chakaravarthy and Washington Sundar.

Shivam Dube gave India the breakthrough, as he had Brevis miscue a shot to Abhishek Sharma at deep mid-wicket. Brevis put on 45 with the help of three fours and three sixes to give his team the necessary momentum.

Meanwhile, Miller brought up his fifty with a six over off a free hit. He scored 63 off 35 balls, with the help of seven fours and three sixes. Chakaravarthy was expensive on Sunday, going at 11.75 an over, but he struck back with the important wicket of Miller.

A late charge from Tristan Stubbs, who knocked off an unbeaten 44 off 24 balls, took South Africa to 187/7.