South Africa thrashed India by 76 runs in their T20 World Cup Super 8 opener, exposing India’s batting flaws as they collapsed to 111 chasing 188. Aiden Markram praised his team’s adaptability, Miller-Brevis partnership and smart finishing, urging players to “drop the ego.” The loss leaves India in a must-win situation for their remaining games.
While India's batting line-up has dominated the pre-T20 World Cup discussions, the potent bowling unit has quietly become the team's real strength. Bowlers like Varun Chakravarthy and Arshdeep Singh, alongside the consistent brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah, provide crucial confidence and have been instrumental in securing victories, proving they are the key to defending their title.
Rain washed out the Pakistan vs New Zealand Super 8 match, with both teams sharing one point and the semi-final race wide open. Pakistan must beat England and Sri Lanka to reach five points and likely qualify, while any loss could make their chances depend on other results. New Zealand face a similar situation, with wins now crucial to stay in control of their campaign.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag expressed concerns about India's bowling strength ahead of the Super 8s, despite their dominant group stage. He highlighted that the bowling unit hasn't been truly tested, citing the Netherlands match where runs were conceded. Mohit Sharma also questioned the death bowling combination, emphasizing the need for clarity against stronger opponents.
Pakistan advances to the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup. Former player Mohammad Yousuf criticizes Babar Azam's batting technique. Yousuf suggests Azam's struggles have persisted for years. Pakistan now prepares for Super 8 matches against New Zealand, England, and Sri Lanka. The team's focus shifts to these upcoming crucial games.
Babar Azam faced online backlash during Pakistan's T20 World Cup match against Namibia, not getting a chance to bat. Despite being a key player, his recent form has been questioned. Team management opted for aggressive batters ahead of him, sparking fan criticism and memes about his role and the team's strategy.
Sahibzada Farhan achieved a maiden T20I century against Namibia in the T20 World Cup 2026. While reaching the milestone, his approach in the closing moments drew criticism from Irfan Pathan, who felt the team's total should have been prioritized. Despite this, Farhan's unbeaten 100 helped Pakistan post 199/3, leading to a dominant 102-run victory.
Hardik Pandya reflects on the pivotal 2016 T20 World Cup final over against Bangladesh, crediting it as the career-defining moment that shaped him. He now aims to unlock his full batting potential, admitting he's only used 40% of it, with his girlfriend Mahieka helping him rediscover his passion for the game through intense training sessions.