This phase was completely dominated by South African bowlers. They came well prepared and put India under immense pressure with timely strikes. Big hitters -- Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan -- are back in the dugout. The onus is completely on Suryakumar Yadav now! He is batting on 11 off 11.

IND 31-3 (6)

A knuckle ball from Marco Jansen traps Abhishek Sharma! South Africa get the reward of some terrific homework! They bowled tightly to the Indian opener and finally got his wicket. Abhishek failed to spot the change of pace and ended up hitting it high in the air. Two South African fielders converged, but Corbin Bosch managed to take a good catch running back from mid‑on despite a collision with Keshav Maharaj.

Abhishek Sharma c Corbin Bosch b Marco Jansen 15(12)

IND 26-3 (4.3)

Only three runs came off the first over from Lungi Ngidi. South Africa have managed to keep India in check, with the asking rate for the hosts going above 10. They need 162 more to win off 96 balls. Final two overs of the powerplay coming!

IND 26-2 (4)

Abhishek Sharma struggled on the first three balls of Kagiso Rabada. He swung hard and missed all the deliveries. The southpaw then made a smart adjustment by going deep into the crease. He played an upper cut for a six over third man and then hit a four on the off‑side.

IND 23-2 (3)

Suryakumar Yadav smashed Marco Jansen for two fours in the second over. He was middling the ball brilliantly. Way too early to judge, but is it Surya's night? What better stage could there be for that!

OUT! Tilak Varma is GONE! He also burns a review in the process. The southpaw was given caught behind off the bowling of Marco Jansen. He went upstairs for a review only to lose one for India, as UltraEdge showed a clear spike. India are two down way too early.

Tilak Varma c Quinton de Kock b Marco Jansen 1(2) 

IND 5-2 (1.1)

FOUR! Abhishek Sharma is finally off the mark! He has got his first run in the T20 World Cup after scoring three consecutive ducks. It was a short ball outside off‑stump from Aiden Markram, and Abhishek cut it away for a four.

IND 5-1 (1)

Big fish for South Africa early in the innings! Aiden Markram has trapped Ishan Kishan! The idea to start with off-spin reaps rewards for the Proteas. Kishan tried to go for a big one but ended up miscuing it in the air.

Ishan Kishan c Ryan Rickelton b Aiden Markram 0(4)

IND 0-1 (0.4)

As expected, South Africa have started with off-spin. It is their captain Aiden Markram himself. He begins with a dot ball to Ishan Kishan. Abhishek Sharma is at the other end.

It is a massive over for South Africa! Hardik Pandya has been smashed for 20 runs in the final one, and South Africa have posted 187. Tristan Stubbs smacked the India all‑rounder for a four on the third ball and finished the over with two consecutive sixes.

SA 187-7 (20)

On the fifth ball, Jasprit Bumrah took a return catch of Corbin Bosch off his own bowling. He seemed unaware of that, but captain Suryakumar Yadav came up with a bold appeal and forced the umpires to take it upstairs. Replays revealed that it was a catch. With the wicket, Jasprit Bumrah surpassed R Ashwin to become India's leading wicket‑taker in the T20 World Cup. The pacer now has 33 scalps to his name.

SA 167-7 (19)

Only seven runs and a wicket came off the final over from Arshdeep Singh. He ended his quota of four overs with figures of two for 28. South Africa have 12 balls remaining in the innings.

SA 164-6 (18)

Arshdeep Singh strikes! He has dismissed Marco Jansen. It was a back of a length delivery and Jansen failed to clear the mid-off fielder. Rinku Singh takes the catch comfortably in the deep. India are pulling things back!

Marco Jansen c Rinku Singh b Arshdeep Singh 2(6) 

SA 158-6 (17.2)

Jasprit Bumrah was brought back into the attack and he bowled an economical over of five runs. He kept the batters guessing with his variations. 200 seems extremely tough for South Africa from this point.

SA 157-5 (17)

David Miller is GONE for 63! He miscued this one and found Tilak Varma at long-off. This is a huge wicket for India, as Miller was doing most of the damage. Varun Chakaravarthy provides India the big wicket.

David Miller c Tilak Varma b Varun Chakaravarthy 63(35)

SA 152-5 (15.4)

Just one boundary in the over from Hardik Pandya, but South Africa still managed to fetch 10 off it. The running between the wickets has been good from David Miller and Tristan Stubbs. The Proteas have five more overs remaining; they still look good to post 200 or more.

SA 144-4 (15)

Washington Sundar was handed the ball, and he conceded only six singles this time. There is a bit of dew on the ground, and it seems to have made batting easier. Still, India should aim to stop South Africa below 200.

SA 134-4 (14)

A six over extra cover and David Miller reaches his fifty with it. He gets there in just 26 balls. This has been a sensational knock from the southpaw. He has put the Indian bowlers completely under pressure.

SA 126-4 (12.3)

Dewald Brevis is OUT! Suryakumar Yadav's bold move of sticking to Shivam Dube has finally reaped reward. It was a slower back of a length ball from Dube and Brevis pulled it but failed to clear the fence. He was caught by Abhishek Sharma at deep mid-wicket.

Dewald Brevis c Abhishek Sharma b Shivam Dube 45(29)

SA 117-4 (12.2)

Just one four still Varun Chakaravarthy leaked 12 runs in this over. He bowled three wides in it. The Indian bowlers are truly under pressure. The hosts badly need a breakthrough or South Africa will take this game away from them.

SA 111-3 (12)

Nothing working for India at the moment. Shivam Dube was handed the ball and he ended up leaking 15 runs. Dewald Brevis smashed the medium pacer for a four and a six. South Africa are on the move!

SA 99-3 (11)

It was turning out to be an economical over from Hardik Pandya, but he bowled a no‑ball on the final delivery. David Miller smashed him for a sensational six wide of long‑on to make it an 11‑run over. Hardik pitched it short, and Miller pulled it away for the biggie.

SA 84-3 (10)

This is smart batting from the duo of David Miller and Dewald Brevis. They have read the pitch well so far and respecting the Indian pacers, while targetting the spinners.

This is yet another expensive over from Varun Chakravarthy! David Miller smashed the spinner for a 95‑metre six before Dewald Brevis also hit a four and a biggie with a no‑look shot down the ground. Seventeen runs came off the over.

SA 73-3 (9)

As the spinners were leaking runs, Hardik Pandya came into the attack. He bowled well and conceded only four singles in the over. The track is sluggish with decent help for the pacers. Anything over 160 could be a good total.

SA 56-3 (8)

Another expensive over of spin bowling and the 50 is up for South Africa! Washington Sundar was brought into the attack, and he leaked 11 in it. Dewald Brevis and David Miller both smashed the spinner for a four each. The Proteas faltered against pace, but they have tackled the Indian spinners brilliantly so far in this game.

SA 52-3 (7)

India dominated the Powerplay but South Africa have made a bit of a recovery through David Miller. Jasprit Bumrah struck twice, while Arshdeep Singh also scalped one. What India need to be wary of is the fact that Miller is looking superb. He has scored 18 off 10 balls, helping South Africa fetch 21 off the last two overs.

SA 41-3 (6)

Spin was introduced with Varun Chakaravarthy bowling his first over. He was smashed for two fours by David Miller. The first one came through a thick outside edge, while for the second boundary, Miller lofted the ball over mid‑off. Eleven runs came off the over, making it the most expensive one so far.

SA 31-3 (5)

OUT! Jasprit Bumrah has outplayed Ryan Rickelton with a slower delivery as the southpaw top‑edged the ball to mid‑off. This is the 32nd scalp for the pacer in the T20 World Cup. With this one, Bumrah has matched R Ashwin's record for the most wickets in the tournament by an Indian.

Ryan Rickelton c Shivam Dube b Jasprit Bumrah 7(7)

SA 20-3 (4)

Big wicket for India!!! Aiden Markram has been dismissed by Arshdeep Singh. India are right on top. This one was slightly overpitched by Arshdeep, and Markram attempted a lofted drive but found the mid‑off fielder. South Africa are two down.

Aiden Markram c Hardik Pandya b Arshdeep Singh 4(7)

SA 12-2 (2.4)

OUT! Jasprit Bumrah strikes! India get an early wicket in this crucial game! The pacer was smashed for a four on the previous delivery, but he bounces back with a wicket here. That was quick from Bumrah as he cramped Quinton de Kock for room. The southpaw tried to slog it but missed the good length ball that crashed into his stumps.

Quinton de Kock b Jasprit Bumrah 6(7) 

SA 10-1 (1.5)

This is a tidy start from Arshdeep Singh. He concedes only four singles in the over. The left‑arm pacer didn’t get any swing, so he stuck to tight lines with back‑of‑a‑length deliveries. Jasprit Bumrah will bowl from the other end.

SA 4-0 (1)

Aiden Markram takes strike, and Quinton de Kock is at the other end. Arshdeep Singh has the new ball in hand. Here we go! The left-arm pacer begins with a back‑of‑a‑length delivery outside off‑stump, and Markram steers it to deep backward point for a single.

"I was actually looking to bat first, but it’s okay. We played here two or three days back and when they were bowling first, there was a little bit in the wicket, so why not take that advantage? It’s a big game, a great occasion for everyone to step up and show their character. It’s a full house tonight, hopefully, and we’ve got a good game for them. It’s the business end now, so you’ve got to bring your A-game," said India captain Suryakumar Yadav.

"We do have three league games, but you have to deliver that punch from ball one, and I think tonight is the right time. We’ll look to bring good energy on the field, follow our good habits, and take whatever result comes our way. The pitch looks quite similar to the previous black soil surface we played on, just one strip away, not too much change. We’re happy to bowl first. It’s very harsh on Axar Patel, but we’re going with the same team - just a tactical decision, so no changes from the last game," he added.

"We gonna bat first, really a good wicket and lot drier than what we have seen. The boys are looking in good touch and it's a good place to be at the moment. We have been fortunate to play a couple of games here, this is black soil pitch. We have made 4 changes from the previous game. Kesh, Lungi and Marco come back in," said South Africa captain Aiden Markram.

The Proteas made four changes, roping in David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Lungi Ngidi for Jason Smith, George Linde, Anrich Nortje and Kewna Maphaka.

India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (w), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy.

South Africa (Playing XI): Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.

South Africa captain Aiden Markram has won the toss and opted to bat against India in their T20 World Cup Super Eight match in Ahmedabad. During the toss, India captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed they too wanted to bat first.

England defeated Sri Lanka by 51 runs in their T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eight Group 2 match in Pallekele, Sri Lanka. The Three Lions posted 146 for 9 batting first and then bundled out the Lankans for 95.

We are just 11 minutes away from the toss. The team that wins it would likely opt to bowl first, as per the usual T20I trend on Indian pitches. Either way, expect a high-scoring encounter tonight!

India opener Abhishek Sharma has fallen to off-spinners twice in a row. It will be interesting to see whether South Africa skipper Aiden Markram decides to bowl off-breaks in the Powerplay. If he does, what will be Abhishek’s approach?

Notably, Abhishek has been dismissed six times by off-spinners in T20I cricket. His average is 22, and his strike rate is 150 against such bowlers.

India have won four out of the four games this edition, but they have not given their best. They have not exactly been asked probing questions at the group league stage but the home favourites are well aware that their batting has left a lot to be desired. Save for opener Ishan Kishan (two fifties and strike rate of 202), the other three batters in the top four haven't exactly set the stage on fire till now.

This will be the sixth T20I between India and South Africa in the last three months. They played a five-match series in December last year, which the Suryakumar Yadav-led side won 3–1. One contest was abandoned due to bad weather conditions. Their players are familiar with each other’s recent games, and the newness factor will not be there.

South Africa boast of a formidable bowling line-up comprising Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram and defending champions India will be mindful of the challenge. Their batting is going to be tested for sure!

India Predicted XI: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.

South Africa Predicted XI: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi.

As per AccuWeather, there are no chances of rain during the India vs South Africa game in Ahmedabad tonight!

India captain Suryakumar Yadav was quite confident about Abhishek Sharma while speaking on the eve of the game against South Africa. “I worry for the people who are worried about Abhishek’s form, I worry about them. Last year he covered for us, now we will cover for him,” the skipper said in the press conference.

India Squad: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (w), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj.

South Africa Squad: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen.

Abhishek Sharma, the number one T20I batter, came into the T20 World Cup with a big reputation. The stats and the impact of his performances spoke volumes about his potential. However, the entire story flipped for him in the first three games of the mega event, as the southpaw registered three consecutive ducks. As Abhishek continues to search for his first run in the tournament, his form will surely be in focus tonight.

Hello everyone, welcome to the live blog of the India vs South Africa T20 World Cup Super Eight match. The contest will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, tonight. Stay connected for the live score and updates of the game!