The much-anticipated moment for Indian fans finally arrived. At Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, a significant portion of the audience was seen supporting South Africa against West Indies.
Every time the broadcaster's camera focused on these Indian fans, they showcased their South African jerseys, signaling their desire for a South African victory. And that's precisely what happened. In the match on Thursday (February 26), South Africa crushed West Indies by nine wickets, securing a dominant victory.
With this win, South Africa advanced one step closer to qualifying for the semi-finals from Group 1. The complete picture of the semi-finals lineup is still unclear in Group 1. Meanwhile, England has already qualified from Group 2.
Prior to India's match against Zimbabwe in Chennai today (February 26), the equation was clear: South Africa needed to defeat West Indies, which they achieved. Now, India must defeat Zimbabwe and then overpower West Indies on Sunday (March 1). Victories over West Indies and Zimbabwe would give India four points, negating the importance of net run rate.
Source: aajtak
What Happened in the South Africa vs West Indies Super-8 Clash?
This is a significant win for South Africa, remaining undefeated in this World Cup. It marks West Indies' first loss, despite a brave comeback from an initial stumble at 83/7, but South Africa maintained dominance throughout the game.
Current Group 1 Standings
Group 1 includes India, South Africa, West Indies, and Zimbabwe. West Indies currently holds second place with one win and one loss. Meanwhile, India is third, and Zimbabwe stands fourth.
- South Africa (SA) – 2 matches, 2 wins, 4 points, NRR +2.890 - West Indies (WI) – 2 matches, 1 win, 2 points, NRR +1.791 - India (IND) – 1 match, 0 wins, 0 points, NRR -3.800 - Zimbabwe (ZIM) – 1 match, 0 wins, 0 points, NRR -5.350
Even with two victories, South Africa tops the group but has not yet secured qualification. They are, however, close to qualifying for the semi-finals. The wildcard remains Zimbabwe. If Zimbabwe defeats South Africa on March 1, the group standings would become even more intriguing. Zimbabwe's match on Thursday (February 26) is also crucial.
How India Can Still Reach the T20 World Cup Semi-Finals
For India to qualify for the semi-finals, wins against Zimbabwe and West Indies are essential. The equations are gradually becoming clearer match by match.
