Shukri Conrad.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

South Africa’s Marco Jansen and teammates (ANI Photo)

TimesofIndia.com in New Delhi: South Africa are on an unbeaten run in the T20 World Cup. Except for the double Super Over against Afghanistan, they’ve steamrolled top teams, including India, whom they beat by 76 runs. On a seven-match winning streak, South Africa hopes to shed their ‘chokers’ tag.The legacy of that tag has followed the Proteas for the past two decades. It started with the 1999 World Cup loss to Australia and persisted until the 2024 T20 World Cup, losing the final to India in the Caribbean.

Now, the reigning World Test Championship winners are the team to beat in the T20 World Cup being played in India and Sri Lanka. Their winning run continued with a 5-wicket win over Zimbabwe on Sunday. Coach Shukri Conrad was asked if this brings pressure and the much-dreaded reminder of being chokers?“There’s always pressure. I think it’s what you do with that pressure and how you shift the pressure. As for the C-word [chokers], I think there’s another one for that – ‘cupcakes.’ I’m sure we kind of enjoyed that,” said Conrad.The cupcake reference relates to a TV advert in the lead-up to the India vs South Africa Super Eight match where an Indian fan jokingly told a South Africa supporter about “repeating history” from the 2024 T20 World Cup while teasing them over a cupcake. But after South Africa’s resounding win against India in Ahmedabad, that dig flipped on its head.“No, there’s always pressure and it’s really about embracing that pressure. And we don’t do things any differently. We’re going to prepare exactly the same way for New Zealand. Whether we start as favourites? Probably because we’re the only unbeaten side in the competition. But I don’t know if that adds to the pressure,” continued Conrad.“I think the semi-final is pressure enough. Playing a tough side in New Zealand is pressure enough. So there’s no added pressure.“I’m glad that we’re favourites because I always felt that as a South African team you want to be able to play as a favourite because it’s easy being an underdog. The expectation isn’t that much. But if we can continue doing what we’re doing then we need a little bit of luck along the way as well.“Hopefully that will give us the result on Wednesday and then on to our ‘home ground’ in Ahmedabad,” he finished cheekily.

South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada, second right, celebrates with teammate Marco Jansen (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

TimesofIndia.com in New Delhi: South Africa are the team to beat in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Except a nervous and edge-of-the-seat double Super Over against Afghanistan, they have highlighted their credentials with win versus title favourites and defending champions India. As a result, they’re on a six match winning run and the only undefeated team in the competition. Up next for them are the already-eliminated Zimbabwe in an all-Africa contest at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.With a semi-final against New Zealand in the offing, this would be the worst time to take the foot off the pedal. What is most impressive for the Proteas is the fact that there’s no single individual at the wheel to keep this juggernaut going all guns blazing. Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs have fired with the bat and Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch have done the job with the ball.

“From our point of view, we’ve been really sharp and what we want to ensure is that we maintain that discipline and intensity and that we don’t drop off as far as those are concerned,” said South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince on the eve of the dead rubber.Six wins in a row and two recent ones coming in convincing fashion, against India and West Indies by 76 runs and 9 wickets, respectively, South Africa have form and momentum on their side as they enter the knockouts. Their semi-final opponents, New Zealand, in comparison, scraped through as Pakistan failed to restrict Sri Lanka in their Super Eight clash. So, is there anything as “ideal lead-up”?“Obviously winning creates good momentum. However you win, sometimes you can have convincing wins. Other times you can have tight matches that really brings the group together, so however you’re able to get over the line I don’t think there’s an ideal way. If you look at England’s last game (vs New Zealand), you win the way that England did (by 4 wickets with 3 balls to spare) and their guys down at number seven and eight making telling contributions, that lifts them as well, gives their batting lineup a lot of confidence knowing that those guys can come to the party and take the team over the line,” explained Prince.“I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way of doing it or an ideal way – I think it’s nice not to have a lot of close games, but I think close games definitely helps in terms of team morale,” he continued.

Zimbabwe will be playing for pride on Sunday (AP Photo/Wonder Mashura)

If Zimbabwe’s last two games are an indication, the odds of it being a close encounter look slim. After becoming the darlings of the tournament with wins over Australia and Sri Lanka, the journey across the Palk Strait has brought with a rude awakening. The Sikandar Raza-led unit were walloped for 254 runs by West Indies (in Mumbai) and 256 runs by India (in Chennai) – both featuring in the top-3 highest totals in T20 World Cup history.“The conditions over here in India is different from what we had in Sri Lanka, different pitches, and all that. So it took a while for us to adapt. We didn’t adapt as quickly or as quickly as we wanted to. And it’s a different surface. So obviously, we didn’t go to plan in terms of our execution but I still think the guys put their hands up they did the best they could,” said Zimbabwe’s bowling consultant Courtney Walsh.“Hopefully we’ll have taken away a lot from these conditions here for future references And I think one of the things, the biggest takeaway is that how quickly you have to adapt in different conditions is one of the things that we will take away from this group,” he continued.In the group stage, Zimbabwe and Raza stressed on being taken seriously and being respected. After the two recent hammerings, the brutality of the sport means they’d have to go about chasing that all over again.

CHENNAI, INDIA – FEBRUARY 26: Arshdeep Singh of India celebrates the wicket of Ryan Burl of Zimbabwe during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Super 8 match between India and Zimbabwe at MA Chidambaram Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Chennai, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

TimesofIndia.com in Chennai: Moments before entering the stadium, India head coach Gautam Gambhir was following the live stream of West Indies vs South Africa on his phone. The fixture carried a lot of weight, and a West Indies win could have ended India’s campaign before they took the field against Zimbabwe in Chennai on Thursday. The stakes were high and not only the coach, sitting in his usual front seat on the team bus, but the entire group was tracking the developments in Ahmedabad. The Aulakhs were no different and remained an animated bunch in the team hotel as Darshan Singh Aulakh, Arshdeep’s father, didn’t mince his words every time a West Indies batter went big.“My family was in the room and when the West Indies batters were hitting, papa gaali dete the ki kya kar raha hai (father was abusing what are they doing). So I was like, it’s okay, don’t be angry and just enjoy the match and hope South Africa win and we also win our remaining matches. If we play good cricket, the result will take care of itself. Well played to them and thank you to them as well for giving us the chance to decide our result. They played well and now we will try to beat them in the finals,” said Arshdeep Singh in the mixed-zone media interaction.

The West Indies had a terrible start with the bat but bounced back, raising some tension in the Indian camp too. Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd’s late onslaught pushed the total from 83/7 to 176/8, and the late fireworks were enough to keep the Men in Blue glued to the action nearly 2,000 kilometres away. India were in a must-win situation in the Super Eight but they surrendered complete control after an ordinary outing against South Africa, which severely damaged their net run-rate. A West Indies win would have kept them mathematically alive but the required outcome would have been far from reachable. Hardik Pandya also revealed that they were “keeping an eye,” but focus quickly shifted to their own game once the result came in their favour.

CHENNAI, INDIA – FEBRUARY 26: Hardik Pandya of India plays a shot during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Super 8 match between India and Zimbabwe at MA Chidambaram Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Chennai, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

“We all were keeping an eye. You know, now it’s all about playing good cricket, backing your skill set, you know, kind of absorbing the pressure and making sure that you put the best foot forward. We were keeping the eye, but at the same point of time, once the game got over, we focused on the fact that this is our game. We need to focus on this,” said Hardik after winning the man of the match for his all-round performance vs Zimbabwe.South Africa’s clinical run-chase returned control to their zone, and the focus shifted back to playing good cricket as they walked out in front of a noisy crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Whistles weren’t allowed but the regular chants and self-instructed Mexican waves kept the atmosphere lively while the two teams battled it out in the middle. The chants of “Abhishek ko bowling do,” “Tilak ko bowling do” got noisier when mere formalities were left and even the players engaged with the crowd to keep the spirits high in the stands. Tilak played along and instructed the crowd to ask Surya for bowling, rolling his arm over as a signal too. The mood in the camp seemed good and the confidence from a strong batting performance was reflected in their movements on the field during the defence. The entire group chose to keep things simple and focussed on returning to the brand of cricket they have played in the bilaterals preceding the multi-nation tournament.

CHENNAI, INDIA – FEBRUARY 26: Tilak Varma of India plays a shot during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Super 8 match between India and Zimbabwe at MA Chidambaram Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Chennai, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

“After the last game, we just as a team and Gautam sir also said the same thing that whatever the situation, just remind what brand of cricket we played since last year and also the New Zealand series and South Africa series the way we played. So whatever the situation, as individuals, just go out there and smile and enjoy the game. At the same point, just look at the team, what the team needs. “Whenever you just see what the team needs, then you won’t be under pressure. You always look at the situation, how the wicket is going, all these things come into the mind. You won’t see as an individual like I should score runs, all this just goes off from the mind. So that’s what we discussed and as an individual we are just focusing on what the team needs and at the end of the day we have done well,” said Tilak at the post-match presser.Tilak has had starts in the tournament but has lacked fluency, especially intent, in the middle-overs. Because Sanju Samson moved to the top of the order, Ishan Kishan dropped to No. 3, forcing the left-hander to change batting positions and face the challenge of batting at a different number in a completely different situation. From anchoring the previous fixtures, his role shifted to that of the bludgeoner in the death overs, and he played his part perfectly. Coming into bat at 172/4 in the 15th over, Tilak combined with his Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya to accumulate 84 runs off just 31 deliveries, ultimately scoring 44 off only 16 deliveries. It wasn’t a role he had played before and his happy to bat wherever the situation and team demands.

“I always say that whatever team needs, I’m up for it. So I’ve done the same role since the last four years in IPL for the Mumbai Indians, and also I’ve done a few games for the Indian team. So I’m up for it. Whatever the team needs, I’m up. And according to the situation, I can adjust. But as I said before I was just waiting for one innings. So I am really grateful to God for that. The right time it has been given, but I am up for it. I am pretty confident now that going forward I can win the games for the team,” Tilak explained.India’s next fixture against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens is a virtual quarter-final but the mood in the dressing room and hotel rooms, is expected to be relaxed leading up to the must-win clash. Thanks to South Africa and then later to a clinical performance with both bat and ball against Zimbabwe.

David Miller and Washington Sundar (Getty)

India’s T20 World Cup title defence suffered a significant setback after a crushing 76-run defeat to South Africa in a high-stakes Super 8 clash. The night had begun brightly for the hosts, who reduced the Proteas to 20/3 with a sharp new-ball burst. But what followed was a complete shift in momentum, driven by a calculated counter-attack in the middle overs. David Miller turned the tide with a commanding 63 off 35 deliveries, striking seven fours and three sixes. Calm and assured for most of his innings, he rebuilt South Africa’s total alongside Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs, steering the innings towards a competitive 187/7. However, Miller’s composure briefly slipped during a tense on-field exchange with Washington Sundar. The flashpoint came when Stubbs nudged a single to the leg side and Miller set off from the non-striker’s end. Sundar appeared unhappy, believing Miller had left his crease early before the ball was released, and immediately raised the matter with the umpire. Miller responded by confronting Sundar, leading to a heated argument between the two. On-field umpire Chris Gaffaney stepped in to calm proceedings, and South Africa captain Aiden Markram later joined during the drinks interval to defuse the situation. The precise trigger for the disagreement remained unclear, and the tension did not resurface. Miller was dismissed shortly afterwards, briefly offering India hope. That hope faded quickly. Stubbs delivered a strong late flourish to lift the Proteas to 187, setting India a stiff target of 188. The chase unravelled almost instantly when the in-form Ishan Kishan fell for a duck. India never recovered. Partnerships were scarce, the required rate ballooned, and wickets tumbled steadily. Bowled out for 111, India slumped to a heavy 76-run loss, damaging their net run rate and leaving their Super 8 campaign hanging in the balance.

South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram, left, and South Africa’s David Miller (AP Photo/ Ajit Solanki)

Aiden Markram’s blistering half-century powered South Africa to a convincing seven-wicket victory over New Zealand on Saturday, moving the Proteas closer to a Super 8s berth in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Markram led the charge in a high-stakes Group D clash, blasting a rapid 86 to dismantle the Kiwi bowling attack and complete the chase of 176 without any real hiccups. South Africa reached their target in just 17.1 overs, marking their third straight win and taking them to the top of the group with six points.

New Zealand had posted 175 for seven after electing to bat, thanks to a counter-attacking 74-run partnership between Mark Chapman (48) and Daryl Mitchell (32). However, their efforts were undone by South Africa’s incisive bowling and a relentless chase led by Markram. The Proteas began aggressively, with Quinton de Kock (20 off 14) and Ryan Rickelton (21 off 11) providing a brisk start before falling to Lockie Ferguson. Markram then combined with Rickelton for a crucial 40-run burst, pushing South Africa past 100 in just eight overs. Even after Rickelton and Dewald Brevis (21) fell in quick succession, Markram continued to dominate, reaching his half-century off just 28 balls. David Miller (24 not out) finished the job with a huge six over mid-wicket, sealing the win with 17 balls to spare. Earlier, New Zealand had begun strongly, with Tim Seifert and Finn Allen attacking Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi. But Jansen’s steep bounce removed Seifert and Rachin Ravindra, while Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada picked up key wickets to leave the Black Caps struggling at 64 for four inside seven overs. Chapman and Mitchell rebuilt with composure, but Jansen’s return to dismiss Chapman, followed by Mitchell and skipper Mitchell Santner’s cheap dismissal, curtailed the late surge. Jansen finished with 4 for 40, supported by Corbin Bosch (1/34) and Keshav Maharaj (1/24), while James Neesham’s unbeaten 23 went largely in vain.

Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad and Rashid Khan (AP)

Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott described his side’s defeat to South Africa as “devastating”, admitting the narrow loss in a dramatic T20 World Cup contest would linger with his players. The Proteas edged Afghanistan after a gripping encounter that required two Super Overs, leaving South Africa relieved and Afghanistan heartbroken in one of the most remarkable matches since the tournament began in 2007. Addressing the media after the game on Wednesday, Trott reflected on the emotional toll of back-to-back defeats in a demanding group.

“Just shows what we have as a side. So we’ve got some amazing players and it’s just really devastating for the guys after a tough loss a few days ago against New Zealand and now against South Africa in a tough group as well,” Trott said. The South African-born former England Test batter acknowledged that such losses can hurt deeply. “These guys are never shy of rising up against the challenges that they face throughout their lives on and off the field. “So today they should be very proud and obviously these types of losses sometimes they can hurt and sting for a while but I think it’s important we look at those areas that we did really well in, but also areas that we could improve and things we could have done better. “I think South Africa fielded pretty well actually as well. The run out, a few catches on the boundary, on the ring, those sorts of things. I think they fielded really well. Maybe that was the difference today a little bit,” the Afghanistan head coach said. Under Trott’s guidance, Afghanistan have made significant strides, reaching the semifinals in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup and the quarterfinals of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Though he is set to step down after this tournament, Trott declined to reflect on his tenure, insisting his focus remains on the remaining fixtures. Trott also reserved special praise for Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who smashed 84 off 42 balls in the chase of 187 and followed it with a blistering 18 off 4 balls in the second Super Over. “Those innings as we saw today, I think he should play more often if I’m honest, with the amount of talent that he has and the physique and the sporting ability and natural hand-eye coordination. “He wears his heart on his sleeve and he’s quite an animated character. I think the years that I’ve been with him now, I’m just trying to get him to be a little bit more consistent in everything that he does.”