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AHMEDABAD: A rapid fifty from David Miller and a clinical bowling feat led by Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj powered South Africa to a massive 76-run victory over India in the Super Eights of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Sunday.
South Africa’s 187 for seven proved far beyond India’s reach at the Narendra Modi Stadium as the hosts were bowled out for 111 in 18.5 overs, suffering one of their heaviest defeats in T20 World Cup history.
The result handed South Africa two crucial points in Group 1 and significantly boosted their net run rate while India were left needing wins in their remaining fixtures to stay in semifinals contention.
After electing to bat, South Africa were jolted early by India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who removed Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton inside four overs. Captain Aiden Markram also fell cheaply as South Africa slipped to 20 for three.
But Miller counter-attacked in trademark fashion. The left-hander struck 63 off 35 balls, peppering the leg side with seven fours and three sixes and brought up his fifty in just 26 deliveries.
He shared a 97-run stand for the fourth wicket with Dewald Brevis, who made 45 off 29 balls, before adding further impetus alongside Tristan Stubbs. Stubbs remained unbeaten on 44 from 24 balls, ensuring South Africa surged past 180 despite Bumrah’s impressive 3 for 15.
India’s other bowlers struggled for control with Varun Chakravarthy and Hardik Pandya conceding heavily in the middle overs as South Africa accelerated after the powerplay.
Ishan Kishan fell for a duck in the opening over and Tilak Varma followed soon after. By the end of the powerplay, India were 31 for three, well behind the required rate.
Abhishek Sharma showed brief intent with 15 while captain Suryakumar Yadav managed 18 off 22 balls but failed to break free against disciplined seam bowling from Jansen and Lungi Ngidi.
Jansen delivered the decisive blows, finishing with four for 22 in 3.5 overs, including the wickets of Abhishek, Tilak and Shivam Dube. Maharaj then tightened the screws in the middle overs claiming three for 24 and triggering a lower-order collapse that saw India lose four wickets for two runs.
Dube top-scored with 42 off 37 balls but lacked support as India were bundled out well short of the target.
The match swung decisively during Miller’s assault between the 10th and 16th overs when South Africa plundered boundaries at will and added 52 runs in just 29 balls for the fourth wicket. India’s inability to contain the left-hander allowed South Africa to post a total that always looked imposing under lights.
Miller, named player of the match, said the plan was to absorb early pressure and target specific bowlers.
“We knew if we batted through the middle overs, the pitch would stay true. Once we had wickets in hand, it was about capitalising,” he said.
India captain Suryakumar admitted his side were “well below par” in both execution and intent.
“In a chase of 187, you need a solid powerplay. Losing three early wickets put us on the back foot,” he said.
Summarised scores:
South Africa 187-7 (20 overs) – Miller 63 (35), Stubbs 44* (24), Brevis 45 (29); Bumrah 3-15
India 111 all out (18.5 overs) – Dube 42 (37); Jansen 4-22, Maharaj 3-24
South Africa won by 76 runs.
