9 reasons why India lost against South Africa: Can India still qualify for Semi’s?
vrushangshah93@gmail.com India lost its first match of Super 8 against South Africa in T20 World Cup, 2026. India has started this World Cup with a bang and won all the matches and qualified for Super 8. But India lost its first match of Super 8 and now India needs to win their remaining 2 matches against Zimbabwe and West Indies to get qualification for Semi Final match. South Africa has played exceptionally well and won by 76 runs.
There is total 9 reasons why India lost against South Africa. Let’s check:
1. Form of Abhishek Sharma:
Abhishek Sharma has scored 15 runs with an average of 125 only. Abhishek known for his power hitting in power play. He has scored three times zero and then scored only 15 against Africa and this actually first reason that India lost the match. India is not getting a good start in powerplay due to the failure of Sharma.
Abhishek Sharma was in stupendous form against series of New Zealand but has lost his form in the World cup 2026. Team wants him in a good form in upcoming matches for the good margin win.
2. Tilak is not able to convert into a big score:
Tilak Verma has scored only 1 run against Africa. Tilak is not at all in his prime form and it’s a big headache for Captain. Tilak has started few innings well but not able to convert into a big score. Tilak has to take a responsibility and have to score big runs in upcoming matches to get qualify for Semi’s.
Tilak has performed well before starting of the World Cup but has lost his form in a crucial stage.
3. Washington in place of Vice captain Axar Patel:
There is no logic of playing Washington over Axar Patel on Ahmedabad pitch where Axar knows how to play well. This tactics of Coach and Captain do not understand by anyone. Axar has been in a great form with bowl and bat but his exclusion against South Africa was a shocker for all the fans. Sundar has scored only 11 runs and bowled only 2 overs so there is no logic of having Axar out of the team.
Axar Patel is a vice captain of team, and he has been left out without any fault which raise serious questions against team management.
4. Rinku Singh failed again and again:
Rinku has been added into the team to play a finisher role, but he has failed to play his part of role. Rinku has scored 0 run against South Africa. He is not an all-rounder, so he needs to bat well. He is a big concern now for team and for captain.
Rinku Singh has to play his finisher role, or else team should go with Sanju Samson instead of Rinku Singh. Team management has to take some serious decision. They can’t back out of form players again and again.
5. Varun’s bowling:
Varun has been phenomenal bowler for team but his bowling against South Africa was not up to the mark, and he has given 47 runs in 4 overs. He is number 1 T20 bowler but he has not performed well. South African players have understood his bowling technique and scored runs easily.
Varun is a magical spinner, and he needs to prove his worth in upcoming matches.
6. Hardik Pandya Bowling:
Hardik is a great all-rounder for team, but he has given 45 runs in 4 overs. He has scored only 18 runs. So, he has failed to play a role of all-rounder against team Africa. Hardik is a champion player, and his contribution is very much important for team.
Hardik can change the game in our favor with his bowling, batting and fielding. He needs to play a role of senior in the team.
7. Opener failed to perform:
India won the last T20 World Cup because of Rohit Sharma played a solid knocked in the Power play. Abhishek Sharma is not able to score runs in Powerplay and all the pressure impose on Ishan Kishan and Tilak Verma. Abhishek needs to play with maturity and need to understand the worth of his wicket.
8. Middle over concerns:
Our bowling unit is lacking in middle overs where opposition team score big runs and put our team under pressure. Varun, Hardik and Shivam have to bowl economically only then pressure can be built up.
9. Sanju and Axar not into the team:
Sanju has not been a part of the team due to his failure against New Zealand Series. Abhishek is not in a good form but still team is backing Abhishek and not including Sanju in playing 11. Same way in form Axar Patel has not a part of playing 11 and Sundar has included over Axar.
Team Management has to take some serious decision and need some changes in current team. Akshar Patel should come in place of Washington Sundar and Sanju Samson should come in place of Rinku Singh. Sanju Samson can do wicket keeping as well so Ishan can get more focus on his batting.
Team India can go with this combination:
Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Verma, Surya Kumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun, Jaspreet Bumrah.
Can India still qualify for Semi Final?
The answer is yes but with some conditions. Firstly, India has to win both of the matches against Zimbabwe and West Indies with a good margin as India is having -3.80 Net Run Rate after loss against team South Africa.
Condition 1:
If Surya Kumar Yadav team win both the matches with a good margin, then India will have good Net Run Rate and there are chances that India will easily qualify for Semi Final match.
Condition 2:
If South Africa win all their matches and India win all their matches, then India will qualify easily.
Indian team has to win all their remaining matches and if they will lose any of the match then India will get out of the World Cup.
All the very best to team India for the upcoming matches.
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