Ahmedabad, Feb 22 (NationPress) Left-arm fast-bowling all-rounder Marco Jansen delivered an outstanding performance, claiming 4 wickets for just 22 runs as South Africa showcased a dominant bowling display to defeat India by 76 runs during their Super Eights match in the Men’s T20 World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. This defeat, witnessed by 90,954 fans clad in blue, marked India’s first loss in an ICC event since the 2023 ODI World Cup final at the same location.

After stumbling to 20/3 within the first four overs on a slow black soil pitch, the Proteas made a remarkable comeback thanks to the efforts of David Miller and Dewald Brevis. Miller scored a brisk 63 off 35 balls, while Brevis contributed 45, forming a crucial 97-run partnership that steadied the innings. Tristan Stubbs added a quickfire 44 not out, propelling South Africa to a total of 187/7.

Jasprit Bumrah shone for India with figures of 3-15, complemented by Arshdeep Singh’s 2-28, but the remaining bowlers struggled against the South African counterattack. India’s chase never gained traction, collapsing to 51/5. Although Shivam Dube fought back with 42 runs, the required run rate escalated out of reach as India was all out for 111 in just 18.5 overs.

Besides Jansen’s stellar 4-22, Keshav Maharaj took 3-24, and Corbin Bosch contributed with two wickets, while captain Aiden Markram claimed one wicket in the opening over. South Africa's emphatic win was attributed to their tactical discipline and execution; the bowlers effectively varied their pace, capitalized on ground dimensions, and consistently disrupted India’s batting rhythm.

This result highlighted weaknesses in India’s batting order, leaving the defending champions with the urgent need to win their remaining matches against Zimbabwe and West Indies to maintain their chances for the semi-finals, especially with their net run rate now at -3.8.

India's troubles began when Ishan Kishan attempted a reckless slog against Aiden Markram, resulting in a top-edge catch. Jansen then dismissed a struggling Tilak Varma with extra bounce, as the left-hander squandered a review.

Abhishek Sharma briefly counterattacked with a six and a four off Kagiso Rabada but was ultimately dismissed for 15 by Jansen's deceptive knuckleball. Markram's strategic rotation of bowlers ensured that India’s batters could never establish a rhythm. Although Washington Sundar was promoted to stabilize the innings, he fell to Bosch's bowling.

Bosch dismissed Suryakumar Yadav soon after, leaving India reeling at 51/5 in 9.1 overs. The mounting pressure caused Hardik Pandya to falter as he was caught attempting to break free from Maharaj's grasp. The situation worsened for India when Maharaj took out Rinku Singh for a duck, while Arshdeep Singh was caught shortly after. Although Dube managed some late hits, the match was already secured by South Africa.

Brief Scores: South Africa 187/7 in 20 overs (David Miller 63, Dewald Brevis 45; Jasprit Bumrah 3-15, Arshdeep Singh 2-28) defeated India 111 all out in 18.5 overs (Shivam Dube 42, Hardik Pandya 18; Marco Jansen 4-22, Keshav Maharaj 3-24) by 76 runs.