South Africa’s accurate bowling ensured an embarrassing defeat for India and stripped them of their unblemished record, sending shockwaves through their national camp and ruining careers in an instant.
India suffered the loss of Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton early on and were never able to recover. Opener Ishan Kishan and number three Tilak Vignesh managed to avoid ducks but weren’t enough to keep India’s hopes alive.
Last 5 matches of India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Scorecard
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Scorecard |
| 19 Dec 2025 | 5th T20I | Ahmedabad | India won by 30 runs | India 231/5, South Africa 201/8 |
| 17 Dec 2025 | 4th T20I | Lucknow | Match abandoned | No play due to |
| 14 Dec 2025 | 3rd T20I | Kolkata | South Africa won | South Africa levelled the series |
| 11 Dec 2025 | 2nd T20I | Visakhapatnam | India won | India took 2-0 lead |
| 8 Dec 2025 | 1st T20I | Cuttack | India won by 101 runs | South Africa bowled out cheaply |
South Africa delivered an outstanding performance to end India’s 12-match unbeaten streak at the ICC T20 World Cup. From being 20/3 at one stage, South African bowlers kept India to just five boundaries and restricted David Miller and Dewald Brevis’ 97-run stand to power the hosts to victory.
Proteas win and send wakeup call for South African champions defending champions still leading their group; though still top, more effort will be necessary if they wish to go all the way in 2019.
Kagiso Rabada has taken some wickets so far in this tournament but not nearly enough for him to meet his targets. While his pace variation may be effective against certain batters, many others seem unable to adapt as quickly and successfully to it.
Shivam Dube has hit Lungi Ngidi for six, taking his total from 33 balls to 34 off 33 balls – but can only make two runs more off Ngidi before being caught at short fine leg by Marco Jansen.
March highlights
South Africa’s batting has looked strong so far. After David Miller’s early struggles gave India cause for alarm, Dewald Brevis and Miller formed a 97-run partnership which has allowed South Africa to balance out India’s bowlers on this track and give them a good shot at victory.
Jasprit Bumrah has been an absolute delight. He’s bowling in the right zone and getting some huge edges; one hit Markram on his up outside edge before taking off to land in mid-off and kill him out for 11 off 12 overs.
Lungi Ngidi’s over has proven costly as he conceded two leg-byes and four runs to open India’s account this evening, and could prove costly should their asking rate surpass three runs a ball.
India have rested Axar Patel to give Washington Sundar a game, but Axar could return into the side if conditions suit spinners. Axar will look to add to his five wicket haul so far in this tournament – although South Africa are surprising not including Anrich Nortje as a far superior option than George Linde in their playing XI.
India vs. South Africa T20 World Cup
South Africa produced an outstanding display with both bat and ball before their home crowd to establish themselves firmly against cohosts India in Ahmedabad’s opening Super Eight match of this tournament. Their bowlers managed to keep India quiet with disciplined bowling and tight fielding; and thus South Africa never really found themselves struggling during the run chase.
Indian opener Ishan Kishan fell victim to South Africa captain Aiden Markram’s offspin and one-down batter Tilak Varma was caught behind from Marco Jansen’s first over. Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube attempted a comeback but it ultimately fell short as Hardik Pandya was caught out lbw off Keshav Maharaj’s bowling for 35 runs with Dube trapped lbw on Keshav Maharaj’s bowling, leaving India all out for just 111 in 18.5 overs.
Proteas bowlers were superb, led by Lungi Ngidi who conceded only 15 runs in four wicketless overs – Jansen, Maharaj and Bosch all took two wickets each as Indian batsmen struggled with pace of an excellent batting pitch. Jasprit Bumrah bowled well as well but did not take any scalps. With superb innings from David Miller and 24-ball 44 from Tristan Stubbs helping South Africa post an impressive total of 187-7 it was more than enough on slow pitches!
India vs. South Africa Test series
South Africa secured an emphatic victory against India in the opening Test at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, thanks to off-spinner Simon Harmer taking four wickets and Keshav Maharaj taking three. All-rounder Marco Jansen made an invaluable contribution by scoring two wickets himself to secure an emphatic win for their side.
India were never competitive after being reduced to 9-0 in their second innings, falling lbw to Harmer’s slower delivery and losing Yashasvi Jaiswal for a duck caught behind and Abhishek Sharma out lbw due to Harmer’s slow bowling pace; thus leaving their hosts struggling on an underfoot pitch which played slow.
Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar built an encouraging partnership of 42 off 77 balls but couldn’t break free. Sundar was eventually bowled by Maharaj while Harmer struck again to dismiss Abhishek and Rishabh Pant (who failed to time the ball when trying to hit an over-the-top shot).
Bavuma was instrumental in leading South Africa to their challenging target. Hitting five fours and one six on his way to reaching 50 off 136 balls – it was the only half century in either side’s innings – before adding 61 runs with Corbin Bosch for the ninth wicket before India collapsed chasing down their target of 122 runs, making this target on Indian soil one of the lowest they failed to chase down ever in a Test match.
