Published on: Feb 23, 2026 6:36 pm IST|Updated on: Feb 23, 2026 6:39 pm IST
India’s highly anticipated Super 8 clash against South Africa in Ahmedabad turned into a sobering reality check for the Men in Blue. After cruising through the group stage undefeated and with relative ease, India faltered when confronted with a quality opponent. The defeat was not just about one bad day at the office; it was the culmination of questionable team management decisions, tactical blunders, and a lack of preparation against top-tier opposition. Let’s break down the three major factors that led to India’s downfall.
One of the most glaring issues in India’s campaign has been the continued backing of Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma despite their poor form. Abhishek, who was touted as an explosive top-order option, has endured a nightmare tournament, three ducks in four games and a total of just 15 runs. His inability to handle quality pace and swing has left India exposed at the top.
Tilak Varma, meanwhile, has struggled to accelerate. With a strike rate of just 118.88 and only 107 runs from five matches, his presence in the middle order has slowed down India’s momentum. In a format where strike rotation and boundary-hitting are critical, Varma’s inability to adapt has been costly.
The puzzling aspect here is the management’s reluctance to bring in Sanju Samson, who was in the squad and offers both experience and versatility. Samson’s ability to play spin and pace with equal confidence could have provided stability. Instead, India chose to persist with two underperforming youngsters, a decision that backfired spectacularly against South Africa’s disciplined bowling attack.
Backing youth is important, but blind faith without accountability can derail campaigns. In this case, the over-backing of Varma and Abhishek was symptomatic of a management unwilling to adapt to the realities of the tournament.
Another controversial decision was the inclusion of Washington Sundar ahead of vice-captain Axar Patel. On paper, the move was justified as a match-up tactic; South Africa had three left-handers in their batting lineup, and Sundar’s off-spin was seen as a counter. But cricket is not played on paper, and the decision proved disastrous.
Washington bowled just two overs in the entire match, highlighting the lack of trust even from the captain. His batting, too, offered little resistance. In contrast, Axar Patel’s experience, subtle variations, and ability to contribute with the bat could have been invaluable on Ahmedabad’s black soil wicket. Axar has thrived in similar conditions before, and his exclusion was baffling, especially considering this was his home turf.
This decision reflected a larger issue: India’s tendency to overthink match-ups instead of trusting proven performers. Gambhir’s preference for Washington Sundar, across formats, may have been rooted in personal bias, but in a high-stakes World Cup clash, such experiments are risky. The result was a weakened bowling attack and a middle order that lacked depth.
India’s group stage fixtures were against USA, Netherlands, Namibia, and Pakistan. While these matches boosted confidence and ensured easy qualification, they did little to prepare India for the intensity of the Super 8.
Against associate nations, India’s batters and bowlers were tested in patches, but in the end they finished beyond the line. Even the Pakistan clash, historically a marquee fixture, has become one-sided in recent years, with India holding an 8-1 record in T20 World Cups. As a result, India entered the Super 8 without facing a team capable of truly challenging their skills under pressure.
South Africa, on the other hand, had already faced tough opponents and were battle-hardened. Their bowlers exploited India’s weaknesses ruthlessly, and their batters showed composure against India’s attack. The gulf in preparation was evident—India looked rusty and undercooked, while South Africa looked sharp and confident.
This lack of exposure meant India was caught off guard when the pressure mounted. The collapse in Ahmedabad was not surprising; it was the inevitable outcome of a team that had not been tested in the crucible of competition.
After a shocking loss to the Proteas, India is now slated to play Zimbabwe on 28th February in Chennai and the West Indies on 1st March in Kolkata. Both are must-win games for the reigning champions to stay in the semifinal hunt.
Tags: T20 World Cup 2026