Ahmedabad, February 21, 2026 – With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 entering its decisive Super Eights phase, South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock has offered measured and respectful praise for India’s struggling opener Abhishek Sharma, despite the young left-hander’s three consecutive ducks in the tournament.
India and South Africa, both unbeaten after four straight group-stage victories, will face each other on Sunday, 22 February 2026, at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The fixture is a rematch of the 2024 final, which India won to end a long wait for the title. South Africa also lost 3-1 in a recent T20I series in India and fell in a warm-up encounter earlier this month.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Saturday, de Kock highlighted the familiarity between the two squads as a key factor that will elevate the contest’s intensity.
“We have played against each other quite a bit over the last two months. The teams haven’t really changed much,” de Kock observed. “What will make for quite a good game tomorrow is who deals with the pressure better and wins the small moments in the game.”
He added that the regular encounters in the Indian Premier League and bilateral series mean players know each other’s styles and thought processes intimately. “It’s just a matter of who falls under the pressure first.”
De Kock Backs World No. 1 Despite Current Form Dip
Abhishek Sharma, ranked the number one T20 batsman in the world, has yet to open his account in the current World Cup. Nevertheless, de Kock refused to dismiss the 24-year-old talent.
“He’s the number one T20 batsman in the world at the moment according to the rankings, so he must keep doing what he’s doing,” de Kock stated. “He’s obviously quite young; he’s bound to fail. Being number one obviously means something, and I’m sure at some point he’s going to play an important knock.”
The remark reflects the wider respect Sharma commands across the cricketing world, even as questions about his form continue to surface.
Advantage of Venue Familiarity and Pitch Assessment
South Africa have played three group matches in Ahmedabad, experiencing both day and night conditions. De Kock acknowledged this exposure but tempered expectations of any significant edge.
“We’ve played a day game and a night game, so we kind of understand the conditions,” he noted. “But the Indian team has played here and a lot of them have played here their whole careers. I don’t think it plays that much of a difference at the end of the day.”
On bowling strategy, particularly the option of opening with an off-spinner to target India’s left-handed top order, de Kock indicated that conditions would dictate the approach.
“In Ahmedabad, what we felt on these wickets has been a bit more seamer-friendly. The spin has kind of travelled a little bit,” he explained. “It’s all about conditions at the end of the day.”
A Contest of Nerves and Execution
Both sides possess formidable batting and bowling resources and share an extensive recent history. Sunday’s encounter is therefore expected to be determined by composure under pressure and the ability to seize pivotal moments rather than any overwhelming technical superiority.
As the defending champions, India will aim to extend their unbeaten run, while South Africa will seek to overturn past results and make a strong statement in the Super Eights. Cricket fans worldwide anticipate a high-quality contest that could shape the tournament’s trajectory.
The match begins at 7:00 PM IST on Sunday, 22 February 2026, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Discover. Learn. Travel Better.
Explore trusted insights and travel smart with expert guides and curated recommendations for your next journey.