South Africa scripts imperious win over West Indies & rekindles India's hopes in T20IWC

 

Before landing in Chennai, India’s focus was firmly fixed 1,404 kilometres away in Ahmedabad, where South Africa took on West Indies. Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates were desperately hoping for a Proteas victory — and they got exactly that. Riding on a dominant batting display, South Africa brushed aside West Indies by nine wickets with minimal fuss. The comprehensive win significantly helped India’s equation, as victories in their remaining two matches would now ensure qualification without having to rely on net run rate.

Captain Aiden Markram, who had earlier played a crucial role in South Africa’s win over India, once again led from the front with an unbeaten half-century to seal the chase in style. West Indies posted 176/8 after being put in to bat, but South Africa chased down the target comfortably, losing just one wicket in the process. The defeat also dented West Indies’ net run rate (1.791), while South Africa’s impressive NRR of 2.890 has virtually secured their semifinal berth.

After winning the toss, South Africa opted to field first. Shai Hope provided an aggressive start, smashing two sixes and a four early on, while Brandon King looked equally fluent and took the attack to Marco Jansen. West Indies raced to 29 in the first two overs, signalling positive intent.

However, Kagiso Rabada pulled things back brilliantly by dismissing Hope. He nearly had two wickets in two balls when Corbin Bosch dropped a catch to reprieve Shimron Hetmyer, but Rabada made amends three balls later by removing Hetmyer for just 2. Lungi Ngidi then delivered a double blow in the fourth over, first dismissing King after a couple of boundaries and then rattling Roston Chase’s stumps two balls later. In a dramatic collapse, West Indies lost four wickets in the space of 10 balls and slumped to 44/4 after four overs.

Sherfane Rutherford attempted a counterattack, even launching Bosch for a stunning six over midwicket, but fell on the very next delivery. Ngidi continued his fine spell by dismissing Rovman Powell (9), leaving West Indies reeling at 83/7 and staring at a total collapse.

Just when it seemed a quick finish was inevitable, Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd staged a spirited fightback. The duo stitched together a crucial 79-run partnership for the eighth wicket, attacking the very bowlers who had earlier dominated proceedings. Ngidi, Maharaj and Jansen all came under pressure, with Holder smashing two sixes and two fours in a single over from Jansen to collect 23 runs. Their late surge lifted West Indies to a competitive 176/8.

Despite the fighting total, few anticipated how effortlessly South Africa would chase it down. Quinton de Kock and Markram began aggressively, taking 16 runs off Matthew Forde’s opening over. The Proteas crossed the 50-run mark within five overs, maintaining a commanding run rate throughout.

De Kock fell in the eighth over for a blistering 47 off 24 balls, an innings studded with four fours and four sixes. Markram, however, continued to dominate and soon brought up his half-century. In the 14th over, he hammered three sixes off Chase, effectively sealing the contest. South Africa did not lose another wicket thereafter.

Markram fittingly finished the game in the 17th over with a boundary off Holder, remaining unbeaten on a superb 82 off 46 balls, laced with seven fours and four sixes. At the other end, Ryan Rickelton provided solid support with an unbeaten 45 off 28 balls, including four fours and two sixes, as South Africa cruised to a commanding nine-wicket victory.