by The third Super 8 match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will take place between India and South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 22. This encounter is already being billed as a potential dress rehearsal for the final of this prestigious T20I tournament, with the match starting at 7:00 PM IST and 3:30 PM GMT+2 for viewers in South Africa.
Both India and South Africa are unbeaten so far in this tournament, and winning match number 43 will give a huge morale boost and momentum to the victorious side, as the Proteas look to avenge their T20 World Cup 2024 final defeat against the Men in Blue.
Pitch Report of Narendra Modi Stadium for IND vs SA T20I (Feb 22, 2026)
The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium is generally considered a bowlers friendly surface where anything above 170 is viewed as a par score. Teams batting first have so far won 10 out of 15 international T20 matches played at this venue.
Spinners are expected to get good grip and assistance from this surface, while pace bowlers like Hardik Pandya and Kagiso Rabada, who can consistently hit hard lengths, are likely to trouble batters in the early overs.
According to the given conditions, batting first and posting a total in the range of 170 to 180 should be a smart choice for both teams on this wicket.
Expected Playing XIs for India vs South Africa
India: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton, Quinton de Kock (wk), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, George Linde
Rain Forecast Prediction for IND vs SA Super 8 Match (Feb 22, 2026)
As per the latest weather update, the chances of rain in Ahmedabad on Sunday, February 22, 2026, are 0 percent, so a full 20 overs per side contest between India and South Africa is expected without any interruptions.
Humidity levels are likely to remain between 29 percent and 40 percent from 7:00 PM IST to 11:00 PM IST, while the wind is expected to blow at around 8 km/h, ensuring comfortable conditions for both players and fans in the stadium.
Winner Predictions and Odds for IND vs SA Super 8 Match
The following are the current winning odds for both India and South Africa for their Super 8 clash on February 22 in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026:
- India – 60 percent chance of winning
- South Africa – 40 percent chance of winning
Team India holds a significant edge over South Africa in this contest, as the spin trio of Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel can cause plenty of problems for the relatively inexperienced South African batting lineup. The Proteas will surely miss the services of Heinrich Klaasen, who has recently retired from international cricket.
David Miller will be a key player for South Africa, as he has substantial experience playing at the Narendra Modi Stadium due to his stint with the Gujarat Titans in the IPL.
For India, a lot of focus will be on Abhishek Sharma, who is due for a big score after three consecutive ducks, and this match presents a crucial opportunity for him to come good on a big stage.
- Our final prediction – India will win this match.
Keep checking for more updates related to the Super 8 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. If you have any queries regarding this India vs South Africa clash, feel free to drop a comment below.
