In a shocking collapse at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India suffered their heaviest defeat by runs in T20 World Cup history on Sunday. Chasing a daunting 188 against South Africa in the Super 8 clash, Team India crumbled to 111 all out, losing by a massive 76 runs. This dismal total marks the third-lowest score by India in T20 World Cup history, shattering their unbeaten streak since the 2022 semifinal loss to England.
The pressure of the big chase proved too much as Indian batsmen faltered one after another. South Africa’s bowlers, led by a clinical performance, dismantled the lineup with ruthless precision. This loss not only ends India’s winning momentum but plunges their net run rate into negative territory, making the path to semifinals treacherous.
Historically, India’s lowest T20 World Cup total stands at 79 against New Zealand in 2016, also in Ahmedabad. The second-lowest was 110 versus New Zealand in 2021. Now, 111 slots in third, followed by 118 against South Africa in 2009 and 119 against Pakistan in 2024 in New York—though India won that thriller.
With Super 8 points on the line, India must now pull off massive victories in their remaining games. They face Zimbabwe on February 26 in Chennai and West Indies on March 1 in Kolkata. Anything less than comprehensive wins could spell the end of their campaign. Fans are left stunned, hoping for a miraculous turnaround in the high-stakes tournament.