The stage is completely set for a high-voltage showdown on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as unbeaten India lock horns with a assured South African aspect on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, February 22. There’s extra than simply factors at stake – this can be a rematch of the 2024 T20 World Cup ultimate, and each groups arrive with flawless group-stage information and critical momentum.
India have appeared scientific up to now, successful all 4 of their matches to prime Group A with eight factors. South Africa have matched that depth, cruising by way of Group D with 4 wins of their very own. Neither aspect has blinked but – and that’s what makes this conflict so mouthwatering.
For India, Axar Patel is prone to return at his dwelling floor, including steadiness with each bat and ball. The staff administration nonetheless has a tricky name to make between Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh, although the seam-friendly Ahmedabad pitch might tilt issues in Arshdeep’s favour. South Africa, in the meantime, are anticipated to revive their strongest XI, with David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada all set to return after being rested.
Ishan Kishan has been India’s batting engine, piling up 176 runs in 4 innings, whereas Varun Chakravarthy’s 9 wickets have choked oppositions within the center overs. For the Proteas, captain Aiden Markram’s explosive powerplay strike charge has set the tone.
Narendra Modi Stadium Pitch Report, T20I Stats and Data
The Narendra Modi Stadium has constructed a status over time as a venue the place batters can really categorical themselves. The floor usually affords good worth for pictures, with the ball coming onto the bat easily and constantly. For this high-profile conflict, a shaved black-soil pitch has been ready – a kind of wicket historically related to tempo, dependable bounce, and the potential for giant scores.
One of many standout options of this floor is its true bounce and even tempo, which provides stroke-makers the boldness to play by way of the road. Quick bowlers might get some early assist, notably within the first few overs, the place there could possibly be a bit of additional carry and slight seam motion to maintain issues attention-grabbing. Nonetheless, as soon as the shine fades, batting is anticipated to get simpler.
Spinners may not discover a substantial amount of flip, particularly below lights, as gripping the ball might turn out to be difficult. The massive outfield is one other issue – whereas well-timed pictures will nonetheless fetch boundaries, many good strokes might end in singles and twos relatively than fours.
Though the pitch can decelerate because the match progresses, the anticipated night dew ought to assist steadiness circumstances and stop it from turning into too sluggish. Curiously, this floor has developed over time. As soon as thought of extra bowler-friendly, it now tends to supply a slight edge to batters, setting the stage for a aggressive and probably high-scoring contest.
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Narendra Modi Stadium T20I Stats and Data
- Matches performed: 15
- Matches received batting first: 10
- Matches received bowling first: 5
- Common 1st innings rating: 173
- Common 2nd innings rating: 151
- Proportion of wickets taken by pacers: 68.75%
- Proportion of wickets taken by spinner: 31.25%
- Highest whole recorded: 234/4 (20 Overs) by India vs New Zealand
- Lowest whole recorded: 66/10 (12.1 Overs) by New Zealand vs India
- Highest rating chased: 178/3 (17.1 Overs) by South Africa vs New Zealand
- Lowest rating defended: 107/7 (20 Overs) by West Indies Girls vs India Girls
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