WI vs SA – 26 Feb 2026, Ahmedabad
The West Indies and South Africa meet in a crucial Super 8 Group 1 encounter in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on 26 February 2026 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The match kicks off at 3:00 PM IST and promises a high-intensity battle between two unbeaten sides fighting for a better path to the semifinals.
Match Overview
This 47th match of the T20 World Cup Super Eights stage brings together explosive Caribbean batting and South Africa’s well-balanced lineup in a game that could shape Group 1 semifinal scenarios. Both teams have shown strong form in the tournament so far — the West Indies dominating with big wins and South Africa making a statement by upsetting top teams.
The match is a day/night 20-over fixture under lights in Ahmedabad, with both batting and bowling units eager to assert dominance on a track that has supported scoring and exciting cricket.
Venue & Conditions
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India 🇮🇳
- Date: 26 February 2026
- Time: 3:00 PM IST
- Stage: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 — Super 8 Group 1
- Match Type: 20 overs per side, Day/Night match
Teams & Key Players
West Indies Squad
The Caribbean side features a mix of explosive batters and potent bowlers:
- Shai Hope (c) – Captain & keeper-batter
- Brandon King – Top-order run-getter
- Shimron Hetmyer – Power hitter
- Jason Holder – All-round experience
- Shamar Joseph & Matthew Forde – Strike bowlers
- Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase – Middle order depth
- Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie – Spin options
- Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd – Pace support
- Quentin Sampson, Johnson Charles – Additional firepower
South Africa Squad
The Proteas bring a well-rounded side with batting firepower and pace strength:
- Aiden Markram (c) – Captain & in-form batter
- Quinton de Kock – Aggressive opening keeper
- Dewald Brevis, David Miller – Middle order stability
- Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch – Seam bowling all-rounders
- Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje – Pace attack
- Keshav Maharaj, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka – Spin and seam support
- Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs – Batting depth
Match Importance
With both West Indies and South Africa unbeaten at this stage, this encounter holds significant weight for semifinal qualification scenarios. A win here not only boosts confidence but also improves net-run-rate and strength in the group standings. India and Zimbabwe also remain in the fray, adding extra intrigue to each result.
What to Expect
- Explosive batting duels: Both sides boast hitters capable of turning games in quick time.
- Fast bowling battles: South Africa’s pace battery versus West Indies’ emerging quicks.
- Strategic depth: Captains will need sharp plans to outfox opposition in all phases.
- Semifinal implications: Every run and wicket could be crucial in the race to the knockout stage.
