Top two teams from Group 1 will qualify for the semi-finals after the end of the Super 8 round of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026
India need to get a big win if possible on the night and will probably be looking to bowl first if given the choice, in order to limit the visitors to a low total and chase it down quickly.
How is net run rate calculated and how can India improve it? Find out everything you need to know about net run rate calculation in cricket.
South Africa's dominant win over West Indies and Zimbabwe's call to bowl first helped India regain control of the net run rate equation in the Super Eight stage.
India's onslaught is now also 2nd on the list for the most sixes hit in a single T20 World Cup innings, only two behind West Indies's recent blitz against Zimbabwe this year.
With their campaign hanging in the balance, India will be eager to respond with a strong performance tonight in Chennai.
Sanju Samson is playing only his second game in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 after making an appearance against Namibia
Business Standard looks at the possible outcomes and how the result of the West Indies vs South Africa match could shape India's semifinal chances.
The surface in Chennai is typically batting-friendly, and totals in the 170-180 range are often within reach.
The Men in Blue began their Super Eight campaign on a disappointing note, suffering a comprehensive 76-run defeat against South Africa national cricket team.
India's press conference on the eve of the match at 4 PM IST is likely to shed more light on the XI but before that Business Standard take a look at cues from the practice session.
Both India and Zimbabwe suffered defeats in their previous matches - India against South Africa and Zimbabwe against the West Indies - making Thursday's fixture crucial for semi-final qualification
While dismissing panic, Kotak acknowledged that selection conversations are active. "There can be changes, yes," he admitted when asked about possible alterations involving Samson and Axar
Ever since Gautam Gambhir took charge of team selection, the strategy has leaned heavily toward including all-rounders.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri considers the defeat against South Africa in the Super 8s as a blessing in disguise and feels the "shakeup" was much needed for the defending champions to "reflect and reset" going into the business end of the T20 World Cup. India will be desperate to make a strong comeback against Zimbabwe here on Thursday after the heavy 76-run defeat at the hands of South Africa in their Super 8 opener in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The loss against the Proteas, incidentally, was India's first defeat after 12 successive victories across the last two editions of the T20 World Cup. "You win 12 matches on the trot, there's bound to be an off day. And I'm glad it has come early. It might just be the shakeup India needed," Shastri told on the latest episode of The ICC Review. "It might also make them rethink their strategy as to the composition of the side going ahead. "They would have learned from that last experience that they're not going to take things for granted beca
If Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals, they will feature in Semi-final 1 in Colombo on March 4. In that scenario, Colombo becomes the confirmed venue for the fixture.
Check all the matches and results from T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 Group 1 here.
Middle-order batter Rinku Singh on Tuesday returned home, owing to an emergency situation in the family, BCCI sources informed PTI. Rinku did not attend India's training session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here, while rest of his colleagues were present at the nets. "Rinku Singh has flown back home from Chennai due to a family emergency. He did not join India's practice session at the Chepauk," the source close to the development said. As per sources, Rinku's father Khanchand Singh is reportedly admitted in a hospital in Greater Noida in serious condition and hence the player had to rush back. Rinku's sudden departure from the camp has raised doubts over the left-hander's availability for India's must-win Super Eights match against Zimbabwe here on Thursday. An underwhelming Rinku had made a duck in India's 76-run defeat against South Africa at Ahmedabad, while he made six in the group match against the Netherlands in New Delhi. Before that he made 11 against Pakistan, 1 agains
To qualify for the semi-finals of ICC T20 World Cup 2026, India need to win their remaining two matches - against Zimbabwe and West Indies - by big margins.
South Africa ended India's 12-match unbeaten run in the tournament with a commanding win, built around a composed partnership between Dewald Brevis and David Miller.