India’s campaign in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup suffered a major setback at the expense of South Africa after a crushing 76-run defeat in the Super Eights stage. Ahmed Shehzad, former Pakistani cricketer, criticized India’s team dynamics and claimed that a lack of unity led to the humiliating loss in Ahmedabad.
South Africa ended India’s 12-match winning streak with a dominant performance at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. As a result, India now face mounting pressure ahead of their next fixture in the tournament.
Unity Concerns Surface After Crushing Loss
Speaking on Geo News programme “Harna Mana Hai,” Shehzad said the current Indian side does not display the cohesion it once had. According to him, the unity that defined the era of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has faded. Consequently, the team struggled to respond under pressure against a strong opponent.
Moreover, Shehzad pointed to visible frustration from captain Suryakumar Yadav during the match. He argued that a leader must project confidence and resilience, especially when the opposition dominates. However, as South African batters cleared the boundary repeatedly, India appeared unsettled on the field.
Bowling Strategy and Selection Under Scrutiny
In addition, Shehzad questioned India’s bowling combination and overall strategy. He stated that the team lacked depth in its attack and relied heavily on part-time options. Although Jasprit Bumrah attempted to control the damage late in the innings, India failed to contain the run flow during the middle overs.
In contrast, South Africa, led by captain Aiden Markram, executed their plans effectively and exposed India’s tactical weaknesses. Shehzad concluded that team selection and strategy have left India vulnerable against top-tier opponents, raising concerns before their upcoming clash with Zimbabwe.
