With South Africa wobbling at 20 for three by the end of the fourth over, the Super Eight showdown against hosts India in Ahmedabad appeared to be slipping away fast, but what followed was a display of calm and clarity that flipped the contest completely, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The temperament that coach Shukri Conrad had spoken about days earlier suddenly defined the night, as the Proteas regrouped with the bat before backing it up with an icy-cold bowling effort that left the world’s top-ranked T20 side chasing shadows.
A 76-run win would be emphatic against any opponent, yet doing it against India made it even more significant, especially as it brought an abrupt end to their 12-match unbeaten run in T20 World Cups, a streak stretching back to their title-winning campaign two years ago.
This Indian side, though, no longer has the calming presence of Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, figures who once thrived in high-pressure moments, and that absence showed as South Africa seized control of the key phases.
From early trouble, the innings was rebuilt through a composed and decisive stand between David Miller and Dewald Brevis, who added 97 runs and swung the momentum firmly in South Africa’s favour, lifting the total to a competitive 187 for seven.
Miller, later named player of the match, led the charge with a fluent 63 from 35 balls, explaining afterwards that retreat was never an option with the field up, while Brevis blended restraint with his natural attacking instincts before falling for a lively 45.
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India’s spin plans unravelled as Washington Sundar and Varun Chakravarthy leaked 64 runs across their six overs, conceding nine boundaries, and the hosts were left frustrated by their inability to apply the brakes through the middle overs.
Even when Miller departed and the experienced pace of Jasprit Bumrah returned alongside Arshdeep Singh, the damage was already done, with Tristan Stubbs producing a brutal final flourish, smashing 20 runs in the last over on his way to an unbeaten 44.
Defending the total, South Africa were clinical from the outset, with Aiden Markram striking in the first over and Marco Jansen ripping through the top order to reduce India to 26 for three inside five overs.
Unlike the visitors, the hosts failed to find a stabilising partnership, as disciplined lines, clever use of the slower ball and relentless pressure choked their batting unit throughout the chase.
Lungi Ngidi’s figures may not have grabbed headlines, but his four overs for just 15 runs were a lesson in control, creating the squeeze that allowed Jansen to finish with four for 22 and Keshav Maharaj to claim three wickets.
It all came together in front of nearly 90,000 spectators at Narendra Modi Stadium, as South Africa completed a performance built on composure, precision and ruthless execution when it mattered most.
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