South Africa and the West Indies will clash in a crucial Super 8 clash, with the winner taking a major step towards a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup T20. But Zimbabwe and India will also be watching the contest closely when the Proteas and the Caribbean side face off at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday, February 26.
India net interest rate -3800 hit after their huge defeat to South Africa in their first Super 8 match. Net run rate could prove crucial for India if the three teams end up tied on six points as the side with the better net run rate will advance. A similar scenario occurred in the 2012 FIFA T20 World Cup, when India won two of the three Super 8 matches but were eliminated due to a lower net rate.
South Africa, meanwhile, remain unbeaten in the tournament and with a net rate of +3,800 look strong contenders to advance from Group 1. West Indies are also unbeaten and look well placed for a top four finish after their win over Zimbabwe.
ADVANTAGE SOUTH AFRICA IN AHMEDABAD?
For the Proteas, Ahmedabad felt like a home away from home. Of the five matches they played in the tournament, four were at the Narendra Modi Stadium, with the only exception being the match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Apart from the thrilling Super Over win against Afghanistan, South Africa have produced dominant performances at the venue.
However, a left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj feels that the team does not have a built-in advantagebecause they played on different fields each time. Maharaj emphasized that rather than relying on familiarity, the Proteas must adapt quickly to the conditions and adjust their game accordingly.
“It’s nice that I don’t have to travel. But from a pitch point of view, I think every game has been very different. In the four games we’ve played here, the conditions have changed in every game. I wouldn’t see it as a major advantage – it’s important to adapt quickly and focus on making those adjustments during the game,” Maharaj said at the pre-match press conference.
‘No Point To Prove’
West Indies, on the other hand, have been firing on all cylinders in the ongoing tournament. Since their famous title triumph in India in 2016, the two-time champions have endured disappointing campaigns in 2021, 2022 and 2024. But this time around, they looked like a completely transformed side.
With five consecutive wins under their belt, the West Indies are brimming with confidence. Batting coach Floyd Reifer said the team has nothing to prove to anyone and will continue to play with a positive and fearless mindset.
“There’s no point for us to prove it and we’ve come here like any other team to win the competition, a lot of people keep us under the radar but we plan every match to go there with a positive mentality to win cricket matches,” Reifer told reporters.
It was only on Monday that West Indies hit Zimbabwe, he scored the second highest total in T20 World Cup history. However, beating South Africa will not be nearly as easy as the Proteas have also enjoyed an impressive campaign and have done nothing wrong in the tournament so far.
WI vs SA: HEAD-TO-HEAD
There is very little separating the two teams in T20I history, with the West Indies holding a slight edge. Given the current form of both the teams in the ongoing tournament, the upcoming match is expected to be a close affair. However, the Proteas have historically held the upper hand in T20 World Cups.
Overall
Matches – 29, South Africa – 14, West Indies – 15, N/R – 0
In the T20 World Cup
Matches – 5, South Africa – 4, West Indies – 1, N/R – 0
SPACING AND CONDITIONS AT AHMEDABAD
The ground in Ahmedabad generally favors teams batting first with an average first innings score of 191 compared to just 169 for teams chasing. However, the Proteas showed that the chase can also be successful as they chased down 176 against New Zealand in just 17.1 overs.
Playing conditions are expected to be bright and sunny with no chance of rain. Temperatures will hover around 34 degrees Celsius, accompanied by pleasant humidity.
WI vs. SA: PREDICTED XI
West Indies XI: Brandon King, Shai Hope (wk/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph
South Africa XI: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
February 26, 2026
