Playing at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday, South Africa beat West Indies by nine wickets in a Super 8 encounter to become the first team to qualify for the tournament. T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals.
Clinical chase: Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock set the platform for South Africa
Chasing 177, the South African pair of Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram dismantled the West Indies bowling attack with a breathtaking 95-run partnership in the first eight overs. De Kock was particularly aggressive, reaching 47 from just 24 deliveries before falling to Roston Chase, caught at mid-wicket by Jason Holder.
Markram continued the attack, finding an able partner in Ryan Rickelton, who made an unbeaten 45 off 28 balls. The pair added 82 runs in just 49 deliveries, with Markram bringing up his fifty off 30 balls before accelerating further. The Proteas skipper finished with six fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 178.26 for 82 not out from 46 deliveries.
South Africa reached 177/1 in just 16.1 overstheir second highest successful run in T20 World Cup history and the fastest by any team against the West Indies in the tournament.
West Indies innings: Jason Holder’s heroics make the Caribbean whole
Earlier, South Africa captain Makram won the toss and elected to field first and the decision was taken as the Proteas pace quartet demolished the top order. Kagiso Rabada struck early to dismiss Hope for 16 off 12 deliveries, while Lungi Ngidi claimed the honors for Brandon King (21 off 11) and Roston Chase (2 off 2).
At 60/5 in the 10th over, West Indies were looking at a low total. However, Jason Holder played a magnificent counter-attack, hitting 49 off just 31 deliveries with three fours and four sixes. The pair found support from Romario Shepherd, who smashed an unbeaten 52 off 37 balls as they added 89 runs for the eighth wicket.
Shepherd’s innings was particularly brutal, with 3 fours and 4 sixes at a strike rate of 140.54. Their partnership took West Indies to a respectable 176/8 from 20 overs.
Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the South African bowlers, finishing with impressive figures of 3/30 in four overs to claim the crucial wickets of King, Powell and Chase. Kagiso Rabada took 2/22 and Corbin Bosch took 2/31, including the wicket of Sherfane Rutherford.
Player of the Match
Aiden Markram’s all-round performance earned him the Man of the Match award. The South African skipper also took a sharp catch to remove Hetmyer and led his team with tactical skill before delivering with the bat.
Also WATCH: Keshav Maharaj rips the screamer to remove Shimron Hetmyer during the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Aiden Markram is a dream to watch – pure elegance, pure class. A real treat for every cricket lover. ❤️
— Bhawana (@cricbhawana) February 26, 2026
Awesome Markram! 🔥
What an innings from Aiden Markram 👏🏽
The South African national cricket team is looking sharp in this ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Is this their year? 🇿🇦🔥#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/rpAWvKHFfz
— Audrin Van Schoor (@audas_vanschoor) February 26, 2026
Take a bow, Aiden Markram. Solid tattoo! 🔥 #T20WorldCup2026
— Khwezi 👨🏾💻 (@Khwezi_bass) February 26, 2026
Petition to rename Narendra Modi Stadium as Aiden Markram Stadium.. 🙌🙌👏👏#SAvsWI #T20WorldCup #CricketTwitter @AidzMarkram
-Dr. Shubham Mishra Shubham Mishra🧠⚛️🇮🇳🇺🇸 (@Shubham_Neuro) February 26, 2026
Aiden Markram means business 🙏🔥.
Congratulations Proteas!
— Onkabetse M (@alfredbailar) February 26, 2026
AIDEN MARKRAM’S SOUTH AFRICA deserve to win this world t20.
The way they play – absolutely DOMINATE !! #T20WorldCup— Kaku (@Kakufied) February 26, 2026
Aiden Markram answers all your doubts, he is amazing 😭🔥
— Sabelo (@Mahoota11) February 26, 2026
AIDEN KYLE MARKRAM 🔥🔥🔥#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/sRnxXY5rsX
— Lawrence Bailey 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) February 26, 2026
If the king values you, you are made for greatness.
Well done and thank you Aiden Markram 👏 pic.twitter.com/SlnhoDkEfT— RCB TWEETS (@fcRCBtweets) February 26, 2026
AIDEN MARKRAM THIS T20 WORLD CUP 2026:
– 59(32).
– 5(8).
– 86*(44).
– 28(11).
– 4(7).
– 82*(46).Captain Markram, Leader leads by example! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/Xgm2aV5Hic
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) February 26, 2026
Well played Aiden Markram 👏🔥 A classy 82 that sets the tone beautifully!#AidenMarkram #cricket #T20WorldCup #WIvsSA
— Bheemendra Pratap (@BheemendraP) February 26, 2026
The performance of the South African national cricket team! 🔥🇿🇦
Brave Captain Aiden Markram leads the way 👏🏽
The Proteas are still unbeaten in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup!#T20WorldCup #unbreakable pic.twitter.com/Ube3HoXOun
— Audrin Van Schoor (@audas_vanschoor) February 26, 2026
Also READ: IND vs ZIM, T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 – TNCA takes unique step to avoid dew in Chennai
