177/1 (16.1)
CR : 10.95
176/8 (20.0)
CR : 8.80
South Africa won by 9 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Aiden Markram
82(46)
Most Wins as Captain in T20 WCs:
21 - MS Dhoni (India)
14 - Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
14* - Aiden Markram (South Africa)*
21 - MS Dhoni (India)
14 - Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
14* - Aiden Markram (South Africa)*
Most 6s for South Africa in T20 WCs:
33 - Quinton de Kock*
30 - AB de Villiers
26 - David Miller
33 - Quinton de Kock*
30 - AB de Villiers
26 - David Miller
Biggest Win in T20 WCs (By Wickets) (175+ Target):
10 wickets - New Zealand vs UAE, Chennai, 2026
9 wickets - South Africa vs West Indies, Ahmedabad, 2026, Today*
10 wickets - New Zealand vs UAE, Chennai, 2026
9 wickets - South Africa vs West Indies, Ahmedabad, 2026, Today*
Most Runs for South Africa in a Single Edition of T20 WCs:
264 - Aiden Markram in 2026*
243 - Quinton de Kock in 2024
238 - Jacques Kallis in 2009
264 - Aiden Markram in 2026*
243 - Quinton de Kock in 2024
238 - Jacques Kallis in 2009
Player of the Match: Aiden Markram
Aiden Markram (Player of the Match): "We felt that we bowled really well. We were okay to chase anything below 180. Obviously the powerplay was a big thing for us. It was a nice partnership with Quinny and then after that we carried on with the momentum.
(On the conditions today) Yeah, it was slightly different. The wicket got really good in the second innings but it was slightly tacky earlier when we bowled. So, we got fortunate with the toss again but the guys bowled really well today. They picked up wickets at regular intervals which left our batters to chase very less.
(Has he changed anything in his batting?) Well, I am just trying to get into the rhythm as quickly as possible rather than being rigid and structured. Though it's a small difference but it has helped me quite a bit. Ultimately you just need to lock in and see what the team needs. It sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Really happy that it's coming off well.
(Leading from the front at the top of the order) Well, I think whether you are a captain or not, when you are opening the batting it's your responsibility. So, it has worked really nicely. I have a really good relation with Quinny and also Ricks (Rickelton) at 3. So, the three of us are doing well. We have unofficially said to each other that the team needs to get off to a good start and so far we are doing a really good job."
(On the conditions today) Yeah, it was slightly different. The wicket got really good in the second innings but it was slightly tacky earlier when we bowled. So, we got fortunate with the toss again but the guys bowled really well today. They picked up wickets at regular intervals which left our batters to chase very less.
(Has he changed anything in his batting?) Well, I am just trying to get into the rhythm as quickly as possible rather than being rigid and structured. Though it's a small difference but it has helped me quite a bit. Ultimately you just need to lock in and see what the team needs. It sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Really happy that it's coming off well.
(Leading from the front at the top of the order) Well, I think whether you are a captain or not, when you are opening the batting it's your responsibility. So, it has worked really nicely. I have a really good relation with Quinny and also Ricks (Rickelton) at 3. So, the three of us are doing well. We have unofficially said to each other that the team needs to get off to a good start and so far we are doing a really good job."
Shai Hope (West Indies Captain): "[Thoughts on the loss] When you come up on a wicket as good as that, you want to get good runs on the board. I just felt it was a good wicket. 30-40 runs short I feel. Too many wickets lost in the powerplay.
[On that partnership between Holder and Shepherd] They gave us the chance. Things could have changed had we picked up wickets in the powerplay. But credit to the boys for giving us the chance.
[On the wicket] I thought it was better. Not a single ball turned when I was batting and when Keshav was bowling. It was better. If we get another chance to bat, we have to do better.
[On playing for the first time in Ahmedabad] We need to ensure that we execute. It's all about the execution in whatever conditions we play. Just one of those days. Didn't get enough runs on the board and it was hard for the bowlers.
[On playing a potential quarter-final against India] Everything is not going to come easy. There will be challenges. We are playing good cricket. We have to make sure that we prepare well."
[On that partnership between Holder and Shepherd] They gave us the chance. Things could have changed had we picked up wickets in the powerplay. But credit to the boys for giving us the chance.
[On the wicket] I thought it was better. Not a single ball turned when I was batting and when Keshav was bowling. It was better. If we get another chance to bat, we have to do better.
[On playing for the first time in Ahmedabad] We need to ensure that we execute. It's all about the execution in whatever conditions we play. Just one of those days. Didn't get enough runs on the board and it was hard for the bowlers.
[On playing a potential quarter-final against India] Everything is not going to come easy. There will be challenges. We are playing good cricket. We have to make sure that we prepare well."
Aiden Markram (South Africa Captain): (On the Powerplay and how the surface played) “I thought we actually bowled quite nicely. We knew they were going to take the game on and that a few shots would come off, but the surface felt tacky and a bit stop-start with some extra bounce. With the new ball doing a little, our focus was to keep hitting good lengths with energy. Even if the ball travels on a small ground, taking wickets keeps you in the game, and I was really impressed with our effort in that phase.
(On bowling first and the advantage of conditions) Yes, there did seem to be a bit of an advantage. The tackiness contributed to that steep bounce. We were fortunate to be on the right side of the toss, but the bowlers still had to execute in the right areas and with intensity, which isn’t always easy in the heat. Full credit to them for sticking to the plan.
(On chasing 176 and batting in the second innings) While we were bowling, the wicket kept getting better, so it was about judging when to use the surface and when to take it out of play. Going full, mixing in yorkers and changes of pace worked well at the back end. When we batted, the new ball came on nicely, which is typical in the second innings. Again, we benefited from the toss, but the team still had to deliver against quality opposition.
(On the team’s top-order performances) We’ve had some good starts recently. Rickelton has really settled into that number three role, which has been a huge plus. On occasions where the top hasn’t fired, the middle order has stepped up. As a group, the aim is always to lay strong foundations and keep the momentum going.
(On the possibility of reaching the semi-finals) That would be great. Nothing is easy at this level - we came through a tough group, and the Super 8 stage is just as challenging. If results go our way, fantastic. If not, we regroup quickly and push hard in the next game.
(On returning to Ahmedabad) It would be great to come back here. The boys have enjoyed playing in these conditions and are getting more comfortable. But there’s still work to do, so the focus remains on continuing to play good cricket.”
(On bowling first and the advantage of conditions) Yes, there did seem to be a bit of an advantage. The tackiness contributed to that steep bounce. We were fortunate to be on the right side of the toss, but the bowlers still had to execute in the right areas and with intensity, which isn’t always easy in the heat. Full credit to them for sticking to the plan.
(On chasing 176 and batting in the second innings) While we were bowling, the wicket kept getting better, so it was about judging when to use the surface and when to take it out of play. Going full, mixing in yorkers and changes of pace worked well at the back end. When we batted, the new ball came on nicely, which is typical in the second innings. Again, we benefited from the toss, but the team still had to deliver against quality opposition.
(On the team’s top-order performances) We’ve had some good starts recently. Rickelton has really settled into that number three role, which has been a huge plus. On occasions where the top hasn’t fired, the middle order has stepped up. As a group, the aim is always to lay strong foundations and keep the momentum going.
(On the possibility of reaching the semi-finals) That would be great. Nothing is easy at this level - we came through a tough group, and the Super 8 stage is just as challenging. If results go our way, fantastic. If not, we regroup quickly and push hard in the next game.
(On returning to Ahmedabad) It would be great to come back here. The boys have enjoyed playing in these conditions and are getting more comfortable. But there’s still work to do, so the focus remains on continuing to play good cricket.”
A comprehensive victory for South Africa and they remain unbeaten in this World Cup. West Indies, meanwhile, suffer their first loss. All eyes now will be on the next Group 1 clash where India host Zimbabwe. Two crucial points are up for grabs for both sides. Do switch tabs to follow the live-action from Chennai.
It’s time to wrap up our coverage of this game. It was pleasure bringing you all the updates from this exciting contest. This is Akshay Bhide, signing off, on behalf of my co-commentators Pritam Dey, Dev Rajawat, scorer Manish Bishnoi and statistician Aman. Bye bye.
It’s time to wrap up our coverage of this game. It was pleasure bringing you all the updates from this exciting contest. This is Akshay Bhide, signing off, on behalf of my co-commentators Pritam Dey, Dev Rajawat, scorer Manish Bishnoi and statistician Aman. Bye bye.