Defending champions India faced their first major setback of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on February 22, falling to South Africa by 76 runs in Ahmedabad. The defeat was a rare stumble for a dominant Indian side that had entered the Super 8 stage with a perfect four-match winning streak, including a high-octane 61-run victory over rivals Pakistan and clinical dismissals of Ireland and the USA.
While Jasprit Bumrah continued his world-class form—taking 3/15 and becoming India's leading wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history—the batting lineup struggled to find momentum against a relentless Proteas attack. Chasing 188, the Indian top order was dismantled by Marco Jansen (4/22), eventually being bowled out for 111.
Despite the loss, India remains a tournament favorite. Their earlier consistency and superior tactical play during the group stages have provided a solid foundation as they look to regroup. The "Men in Blue" now focus on their upcoming must-win fixtures, needing to recapture the clinical form that saw them sweep their opening matches to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
