New Delhi: India captain Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged that the team’s inability to build partnerships proved decisive in their 76 run defeat to South Africa national cricket team in the Super Eights stage of the ICC T20 World Cup on Sunday.
Chasing 188, India faltered early and never recovered, getting bowled out for 111 in 18.5 overs. The top order collapsed inside the powerplay, with Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma falling cheaply as the side slipped to 26 for 3. Suryakumar admitted that while matches may not always be won in the powerplay, they can certainly be lost there. He conceded that the batting unit failed to stitch together meaningful stands and needed to perform better.
The defeat severely dented India’s net run rate, leaving them with little margin for error in their remaining Super Eights fixtures against Zimbabwe and West Indies.
Despite the heavy loss, Suryakumar praised the bowlers for keeping India in contention earlier in the evening. Jasprit Bumrah claimed 3 for 15 and Arshdeep Singh picked up two wickets to restrict South Africa to 187 for 7, preventing what had looked like a likely 200 plus total.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram credited his team’s adaptability to the conditions. He highlighted a crucial middle order partnership between David Miller and Dewald Brevis that stabilised the innings after early setbacks, while Tristan Stubbs added late momentum. Lungi Ngidi’s disciplined spell, conceding just 15 runs in four overs, choked India’s chase.
India’s team selection also drew scrutiny. Vice captain Axar Patel was left out for the second consecutive game, with Washington Sundar retained in a match up driven combination shaped by head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate revealed that the decision followed extended deliberations focused on tactical roles.
With two crucial matches remaining, India must quickly regroup to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
