Highlights
- India posted a commanding 240/6 batting first
- Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma impressed with aggressive knocks
- Anrich Nortje endured a difficult outing with the ball
- Arshdeep Singh struck early as South Africa began the chase
- Suryakumar Yadav used the match to test leadership and tactics
India began their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with an explosive warm-up match against South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday, using the contest to test combinations, leadership decisions, and bowling depth in match-like conditions.
After winning the toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav elected to bat first, citing the possibility of dew later in the evening and a desire to challenge his bowlers under pressure. The decision paid immediate dividends as India’s top order attacked relentlessly from the outset.
Openers Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma set the tone, with Kishan particularly severe on anything straying into his pads. South Africa’s pacers struggled with their lines early on, drifting too often toward leg stump, allowing Kishan to dominate the square-leg and fine-leg regions. Kishan brought up a brisk half-century before retiring, having done more than enough to underline his readiness for the tournament.
Tilak Varma, returning after an injury layoff, looked in sublime touch at No. 3. He continued the aggressive momentum, timing the ball fluently and showing no signs of rust. His dismissal by Marco Jansen—bowled around his legs after South Africa attempted to cramp him for room, did little to diminish the confidence he inspired heading into the World Cup.
Suryakumar Yadav walked in with his trademark intent but fell to a slower delivery from Kwena Maphaka, a reminder of a dismissal pattern bowlers have previously exploited. Rinku Singh had a quieter outing and was dismissed by Anrich Nortje, who briefly found some consolation after a tough spell earlier in the innings.
Despite a slight slowdown in the latter half, India finished with an imposing 240/6, a total that underlined both their batting depth and familiarity with home conditions. For South Africa, the outing raised concerns, particularly around Nortje, who conceded heavily in his early overs and looked short of variation on a red-soil surface that offered limited margin for error.
Chasing a daunting target, South Africa got off to a shaky start. The decision to promote George Linde to open raised eyebrows, and he struggled against early swing before Arshdeep Singh struck, inducing a mistimed shot straight to mid-on. Aiden Markram then took charge, playing positively and finding early boundaries to stabilize the innings.
Markram’s role looms large for South Africa, especially after his leadership and batting heroics in recent ICC tournaments. His fluent start in the warm-up hinted at form, even as the Proteas faced sustained pressure from India’s disciplined pace attack.
The match also served as a tactical exercise for India. Suryakumar rotated bowlers creatively, including switching Arshdeep’s ends instead of immediately turning to spin, signaling his willingness to experiment under World Cup conditions.
While the result of the warm-up mattered less than the insights gained, India will take confidence from their batting firepower and depth, while South Africa leave Navi Mumbai with clear areas to address before the tournament proper begins.
