T20 World Cup: South Africa rip India's unbeaten streak apart

India's unbeaten run in the T20 World Cup came a cropper as a disciplined South Africa defeated India by 76 runs in the Super Eights match in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The hosts were all out for 111 in 18.5 overs as the much-vaunted batting line-up came apart.

India lost three wickets in the Powerplay. That set a pattern as hosts kept losing wickets in a cluster. The frailty of the middle order was on full display as Proteas exerted pressure.  

The 14th over by Maharaj was emblematic of India's batting on the day. Going into the over, India were 86 for 5. Hardik Pandya was caught at the fence on the first ball, trying to flat bat the spinner for a six. Two balls later, Rinku Singh spooned a back-of-length delivery to long on. Then three balls later, Arshdeep Singh stepped out and slogged to the long on, where Stubbs took a juggling catch in the fence. 

Shivams Dube was the top scorer with 42 off 37 balls. But even he took time to find his groove. Marco Jansen was the pick of the bowler taking four wickets for 22 runs in 3.5 overs. He was well-supported by Keshav Maharaj (3-24) and Corbin Bosch 2-12 in three overs each.

Earlier, a counterpunching innings from David Miller and Dewald Brevis helped South Africa post 187 for 7.

Jasprit Bumrah was brilliant early on as India took the advantage in the powerplay. After being reduced to 20 for 3 inside four overs, the Proteas mounted a stunning recovery through Miller (63 from 35 balls; 7x4, 3x6) and Brevis (45 from 29; 3x4, 3x6) whose 97-run fourth-wicket stand came off just 51 balls.

Miller and Dewald Brevis were especially hard on Varun Chakravarthy. Shivam Dube, who finally got Brevis while he miscued a shot, was also found hit hard as he was tonked for 32 runs in two overs.  Between overs 7 and 14, South Africa scored 93 runs for the loss of one wicket.

At 144 for 4 after 15 overs, South Africa were going on well over nine runs per over, eyeing a 200-plus total.

But Bumrah (3/15) and Arshdeep Singh (2/28) wrested control at the back end as South Africa lost three wickets in the last four overs.

It would have been worse, but Tristan Stubbs (44 not out; 24 balls) ended it superbly with back-to-back sixes off Hardik Pandya in the final over.

India got the breakthrough when Shivam Dube, who had earlier been taken apart, induced a mistimed pull from Brevis off a back-of-a-length delivery.

Brevis failed to get the timing right on his stroke to see his 29-ball knock end.

Having leaked 39 runs from his first three overs, Varun Chakravarthy finally had the last laugh dismissing Miller in his final over.
(With PTI input)