156/8 (20.0)
CR : 7.80
213/4 (20.0)
CR : 10.65
South Africa won by 57 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Lungi Ngidi
4/31
Most 200+ Team Totals in the ICC Men's T20 WC
6 – South Africa*
3 – India, West Indies
2 – England, Sri Lanka
6 – South Africa*
3 – India, West Indies
2 – England, Sri Lanka
Biggest Win for South Africa in T20 WCs (By Runs):
130 vs Scotland, The Oval, 2009
104 vs Bangladesh, Sydney, 2022
59 vs Afghanistan, Bridgetown, 2010
57 vs Canada, Ahmedabad, 2026, Tonight*
37 vs Afghanistan, Mumbai (Wankhede), 2016
130 vs Scotland, The Oval, 2009
104 vs Bangladesh, Sydney, 2022
59 vs Afghanistan, Bridgetown, 2010
57 vs Canada, Ahmedabad, 2026, Tonight*
37 vs Afghanistan, Mumbai (Wankhede), 2016
Best Bowling Figure for Lungi Ngidi in T20Is:
5/39 vs England, Bristol, 2022
4/19 vs Sri Lanka, Johannesburg, 2017
4/29 vs India, Perth, 2022
4/31 vs Canada, Ahmedabad, 2026, Tonight*
3/30 vs England, East London, 2020
5/39 vs England, Bristol, 2022
4/19 vs Sri Lanka, Johannesburg, 2017
4/29 vs India, Perth, 2022
4/31 vs Canada, Ahmedabad, 2026, Tonight*
3/30 vs England, East London, 2020
Highest Individual Score for Canada vs Full Member Nations in T20Is:
69 - Navneet Dhaliwal vs Ireland, Abu Dhabi, 2019
68 - Rizwan Cheema vs Sri Lanka, King City (NW), 2008
64 - Navneet Dhaliwal vs South Africa, Ahmedabad, 2026, Tonight*
69 - Navneet Dhaliwal vs Ireland, Abu Dhabi, 2019
68 - Rizwan Cheema vs Sri Lanka, King City (NW), 2008
64 - Navneet Dhaliwal vs South Africa, Ahmedabad, 2026, Tonight*
Most Dismissals as wicket-keeper in T20 WCs:
32* - Quinton de Kock (South Africa)
32 - MS Dhoni (India)
30 - Kamran Akmal (Pakistan)
32* - Quinton de Kock (South Africa)
32 - MS Dhoni (India)
30 - Kamran Akmal (Pakistan)
Player of the Match: Lungi Ngidi
Lungi Ngidi (Player of the Match): (What brings the best in him) "I think it's the fact that I have to find a way to pick wickets. I am willing to take the risks. I bowl those risky balls. Sometimes I go for boundaries, but sometimes those balls pay off and end up in the wickets column.
(Game plan for players they have not played against before) That was one of the things we struggled with tonight. It was trial and error as we were going. Some of the balls would go for boundaries, then would shift and have a discussion in the middle. It was pretty simple with the new ball, but after that, it was pretty much trial and error.
(Impact of dew) The dew had an impact. Some balls would slide on. Some would hold up a little bit. They connected with a few, and that told us that the dew was playing an effect. Our attack brings pace. For me, it is the variations that get people out. So I try to keep it simple on good length and then change pace to keep the guys guessing."
(Game plan for players they have not played against before) That was one of the things we struggled with tonight. It was trial and error as we were going. Some of the balls would go for boundaries, then would shift and have a discussion in the middle. It was pretty simple with the new ball, but after that, it was pretty much trial and error.
(Impact of dew) The dew had an impact. Some balls would slide on. Some would hold up a little bit. They connected with a few, and that told us that the dew was playing an effect. Our attack brings pace. For me, it is the variations that get people out. So I try to keep it simple on good length and then change pace to keep the guys guessing."
Dilpreet Bajwa (Canada Captain): (On the toss and the total they were aiming for) “We were hoping to score around 170-175. The wicket was very good, and we were playing against a strong South African batting line-up. Unfortunately, we leaked some extra runs - loose balls here and there, and that made the difference.
(On Ansh Patel’s standout bowling performance) One of the big positives was Ansh Patel. Those were career-best figures for him, and it’s very important for young players to experience cricket at this global stage. He bowled really well against very experienced batters. It was also his home ground, and his family were present, so he was really pumped up. He played a big role in stopping South Africa from getting an even bigger score.
(On Canada’s preparation and Navneet Dhaliwal’s innings) It’s been tough for us. We mostly train indoors, we had our camp in Sri Lanka, and we don’t get enough competitive cricket against top teams. That’s one of the challenges associate nations face. But someone like Navneet Dhaliwal standing up shows the positives. He’s been playing for Canada for around ten years, and his experience really showed.
(On competing against top-class bowling) We knew we were up against one of the best bowling attacks in the world - most of their bowlers are consistently above 140 kph. Still, our boys fought really well, especially Navneet. We’re proud of the effort, and there are a lot of positive signs despite the result.
(On lessons ahead of the UAE match) I think our batting is the biggest learning. We were a bit too aggressive inside the circle and lost wickets unnecessarily. We need to play smarter, watch the ball more closely, and build our innings better. That will really help us going into the game against the UAE.”
(On Ansh Patel’s standout bowling performance) One of the big positives was Ansh Patel. Those were career-best figures for him, and it’s very important for young players to experience cricket at this global stage. He bowled really well against very experienced batters. It was also his home ground, and his family were present, so he was really pumped up. He played a big role in stopping South Africa from getting an even bigger score.
(On Canada’s preparation and Navneet Dhaliwal’s innings) It’s been tough for us. We mostly train indoors, we had our camp in Sri Lanka, and we don’t get enough competitive cricket against top teams. That’s one of the challenges associate nations face. But someone like Navneet Dhaliwal standing up shows the positives. He’s been playing for Canada for around ten years, and his experience really showed.
(On competing against top-class bowling) We knew we were up against one of the best bowling attacks in the world - most of their bowlers are consistently above 140 kph. Still, our boys fought really well, especially Navneet. We’re proud of the effort, and there are a lot of positive signs despite the result.
(On lessons ahead of the UAE match) I think our batting is the biggest learning. We were a bit too aggressive inside the circle and lost wickets unnecessarily. We need to play smarter, watch the ball more closely, and build our innings better. That will really help us going into the game against the UAE.”
Aiden Markram (South Africa Captain): "Yeah, it is important. I think we’ve seen from the start of this competition that anyone can beat anyone, and you can’t take any opposition lightly. It was a nice start from the boys. I thought all three areas of the game were pretty solid tonight, and obviously, we’re happy with the win.
[How tough is it to decide on your playing 11, or is it just conditions-based?] It will always be conditions-based, but that doesn’t make it any easier. Everyone has been pushing really hard to be part of the XI on the park, but the group is locked in. They understand it’s going to be a squad effort throughout this World Cup. It’s never easy telling players they’re not playing, but they take it well, understand the situation, and continue to bring plenty of energy back into the group.
[Impressed with Stubbs and Miller?] Yeah, it’s a really important phase of the game here in India. They had to do a bit of gardening early on before they could tee off, and I thought they handled that really well before finishing strongly. It’s great for their confidence to have done that, and hopefully they can carry that confidence and build momentum into the next game.
[Impressed with Ngidi and the rest of the unit?] Yeah, they bowled really well. There was a bit on offer up front, and then the dew came in and it got slightly easier, but they still asked some really good questions. They kept trying to take wickets throughout the innings, which is obviously important, and more often than not, they got it right. As I mentioned, it was a pretty good performance overall tonight. Of course, there will be a few things we discuss in the changing room about where we can improve, but all in all, we’re pretty happy with it.
[On clash against Afghanistan] They were semi-finalists in the last edition, and it’s a day game as well, so we’ll have to be right on it in a couple of days’ time. We’ll get some rest tomorrow, then it’s back here bright and early on Wednesday, and we’re really looking forward to that game."
[How tough is it to decide on your playing 11, or is it just conditions-based?] It will always be conditions-based, but that doesn’t make it any easier. Everyone has been pushing really hard to be part of the XI on the park, but the group is locked in. They understand it’s going to be a squad effort throughout this World Cup. It’s never easy telling players they’re not playing, but they take it well, understand the situation, and continue to bring plenty of energy back into the group.
[Impressed with Stubbs and Miller?] Yeah, it’s a really important phase of the game here in India. They had to do a bit of gardening early on before they could tee off, and I thought they handled that really well before finishing strongly. It’s great for their confidence to have done that, and hopefully they can carry that confidence and build momentum into the next game.
[Impressed with Ngidi and the rest of the unit?] Yeah, they bowled really well. There was a bit on offer up front, and then the dew came in and it got slightly easier, but they still asked some really good questions. They kept trying to take wickets throughout the innings, which is obviously important, and more often than not, they got it right. As I mentioned, it was a pretty good performance overall tonight. Of course, there will be a few things we discuss in the changing room about where we can improve, but all in all, we’re pretty happy with it.
[On clash against Afghanistan] They were semi-finalists in the last edition, and it’s a day game as well, so we’ll have to be right on it in a couple of days’ time. We’ll get some rest tomorrow, then it’s back here bright and early on Wednesday, and we’re really looking forward to that game."
South Africa’s sheer power and clinical bowling proved too much for a spirited Canada in this Group D encounter. While Aiden Markram’s captain’s knock set the foundation for a daunting total, Lungi Ngidi’s early breakthroughs effectively ended the contest before it could truly begin. Canada showed flashes of resistance through Navneet Dhaliwal, but the Proteas' experience and depth ensured a dominant win. This victory significantly boosts South Africa’s momentum as they solidify their standing in the tournament.
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentators, Darpan Tikiya, Deepak Prakash, scorers Manish Bishnoi, Zeeshan Naiyer, and statistician Aman. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But cricket doesn’t sleep. Plenty is happening around the world. Switch tabs, follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!!!
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentators, Darpan Tikiya, Deepak Prakash, scorers Manish Bishnoi, Zeeshan Naiyer, and statistician Aman. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But cricket doesn’t sleep. Plenty is happening around the world. Switch tabs, follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!!!