IND vs SA Match Preview: India vs South Africa – ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 – February 22, 2026, 13:30 GMT

Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Series: ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026
Match Number: Match 43
Format: T20 International

Match Preview

India and South Africa are set to lock horns in what promises to be a thrilling encounter in the 43rd match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match is scheduled to begin at 13:30 GMT on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

India enters the match on a high after a commanding 17-run victory over the Netherlands in their previous game. Chasing a target of 193, India's batters put on a clinical display, with Shivam Dube scoring a match-winning 66 off 31 balls. The bowlers also stepped up, with Varun Chakravarthy taking 3 wickets for 14 runs in his three overs. India's blend of aggressive batting and disciplined bowling has made them a formidable side in this tournament.

South Africa, on the other hand, showcased their dominance in the T20 format by chasing down the UAE's 122 in just 13.2 overs. The Proteas' explosive batting, led by Ryan Rickelton (30 off 16) and Dewald Brevis (36), was complemented by a tight bowling performance from Corbin Bosch, who took 3 for 12. South Africa's ability to accelerate in the death overs has been a key strength, and they will look to exploit it once again.

With the Narendra Modi Stadium known for its batting-friendly surface, both teams will be eager to post big scores. The fast outfield and the ability of the pitch to assist batters early on could result in a high-scoring affair. However, the early movement in the first few overs may provide bowlers with an opportunity to take early wickets.

Team Form (Last 5 Matches)

• India: 4 wins, 1 loss – Showing consistent performances, especially with the bat and spin department.
• South Africa: 4 wins, 1 loss – Dominant in the field with a balanced attack and explosive batting.

Probable Playing XI

India

1. Abhishek Sharma
2. Ishan Kishan (wk)
3. Tilak Varma
4. Suryakumar Yadav (c)
5. Hardik Pandya
6. Shivam Dube
7. Rinku Singh
8. Axar Patel
9. Jasprit Bumrah
10. Arshdeep Singh
11. Varun Chakravarthy

Bench:

• Sanju Samson
• Washington Sundar
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Mohammed Siraj

South Africa

1. Aiden Markram (c)
2. Quinton de Kock (wk)
3. Ryan Rickelton
4. Dewald Brevis
5. Tristan Stubbs
6. David Miller
7. Corbin Bosch
8. Marco Jansen
9. Lungi Ngidi
10. Keshav Maharaj
11. Kagiso Rabada

Bench:

• Jason Smith
• George Linde
• Kwenand Maphaka
• Anrich Nortje

Key Players to Watch

• Ishan Kishan (IND) – The wicketkeeper-batter has been in red-hot form, scoring 391 runs in the last 8 games.
• Suryakumar Yadav (IND) – A master of the T20 game, Surya has scored 409 runs in the last 10 games at a strike rate over 164.
• Shivam Dube (IND) – A match-changing all-rounder who contributed 66 runs and 2 wickets in the last game.
• Aiden Markram (SA) – The Proteas' captain has scored 377 runs in the last 10 games at a strike rate of 161.
• Quinton de Kock (SA) – The in-form wicketkeeper, who has scored 417 runs in the last 9 games.
• Varun Chakravarthy (IND) – The leg-spinner has been exceptional, taking 19 wickets in the last 9 games.
• Kagiso Rabada (SA) – The premier fast bowler who can swing the game with his pace and yorkers.

Pitch and Weather Report

Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Pitch Condition: Batting-friendly with a fast outfield. Batters can expect to score freely, but early movement may assist bowlers.
Weather Forecast: Dry and sunny, with ideal conditions for cricket. No rain or humidity expected.

Head-to-Head (Recent)

• India and South Africa have faced each other in 20 T20I matches.
• India has won 12, South Africa 8.
• In the last 5 encounters, India has the edge with 3 wins to South Africa's 2.

Prediction

This match is expected to be a high-scoring thriller, with both teams boasting strong batting lineups and disciplined bowling attacks. India’s recent performances and Suryakumar Yadav’s form could give them the edge, but South Africa’s explosive finish and Kagiso Rabada's ability to swing the game make them a dangerous opposition.

Prediction: India by 5-7 runs

Fantasy Cricket Tips

Captaincy Pick: Suryakumar Yadav (IND)
Vice-Captain: Quinton de Kock (SA)
Top Batsmen: Ishan Kishan (IND), Aiden Markram (SA), Suryakumar Yadav (IND)
Top Bowlers: Varun Chakravarthy (IND), Kagiso Rabada (SA), Corbin Bosch (SA)
All-rounders: Shivam Dube (IND), David Miller (SA)

Avoid: Players with inconsistent form or poor recent stats.

Last Updated: February 21, 2026
Fantasy Points Left: 7.5/100

Categories:

• Wicket Keeper
• Batter
• All Rounder
• Bowler