South Africa Dominates West Indies in T20 World Cup Clash

In a thrilling T20 World Cup match, South Africa secured a nine-wicket victory over the West Indies, maintaining their unbeaten streak. Captain Aiden Markram praised his team's performance, particularly highlighting the contributions of Ryan Rickelton. With this win, South Africa is on the brink of reaching the semifinals, showcasing their strong form in the tournament. The match featured impressive bowling from Lungi Ngidi and a solid batting display from Markram and de Kock, setting the stage for their continued success in the competition.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 26, 2026, 20:14 IST

Markram Celebrates Team's Performance

After leading his team to victory against the West Indies, South African captain Aiden Markram expressed his satisfaction with both the batting and bowling during the powerplay. He noted that every stage of this tournament presents its own challenges. With this latest win, South Africa has maintained an unbeaten streak in the T20 World Cup, marking their sixth consecutive victory with a nine-wicket win over the West Indies in Ahmedabad on Thursday. This triumph also brings them closer to the semifinals and benefits India in the tournament.

Insights from Markram on Pitch Conditions

In the post-match press conference, Markram commented on the bowling performance, stating, "We bowled quite well. The West Indies are a team that can take the game to you. The pitch had a tacky and bumpy surface, and with some early movement, we aimed to keep the ball up. The steep bounce was a result of the tackiness, and we were fortunate to win the toss."

He further explained that as the match progressed, the Ahmedabad pitch became increasingly favorable for batting, acknowledging that their strategy of bowling yorkers and varying pace did not yield the desired results.

Recognition for Ryan Rickelton

Markram also praised Ryan Rickelton, who has solidified his position at number three in the batting order. In 11 innings at this position, Rickelton has amassed 357 runs, averaging 44.62 with a strike rate of 164.51, including two half-centuries. Markram remarked, "No step in this competition is easy. We hope to advance to the semifinals. The boys are adapting well to the conditions here in Ahmedabad."

Match Summary

In the match itself, South Africa won the toss and chose to field first. Lungi Ngidi delivered an impressive performance with figures of 3/30 in four overs, while Kagiso Rabada contributed with 2/22, restricting the West Indies to 83/7 early on. However, a spirited partnership between Romario Shepherd (52* off 37 balls, including three fours and four sixes) and Jason Holder (49 off 31 balls, with three fours and three sixes) propelled the Windies to a total of 176/8 in their 20 overs, despite Marco Jansen's costly spell of 50 runs in four overs.

During the chase, Markram scored an unbeaten 82 off 46 balls, supported by Quinton de Kock's 47 off 24 balls. The duo formed a rapid 95-run partnership, and Rickelton's contribution of 45* off 28 balls helped secure a nine-wicket victory for South Africa.