India’s net run rate became a major talking point for fans and analysts after their heavy defeat to South Africa national cricket team in the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. That loss not only dented confidence but also left India in a tricky qualification scenario, with their chances of reaching the semi-finals suddenly dependent on multiple results. The situation became even more complicated when the West Indies cricket team demolished the Zimbabwe national cricket team earlier in the group stage.
That victory pushed the Caribbean side to the top of the Super 8 points table with a massive net run rate of +5, putting extra pressure on India national cricket team heading into the remaining fixtures. For India, the equation became clear. They needed South Africa to defeat the West Indies to keep the group standings within reach. If that result went their way, wins against Zimbabwe and West Indies would give India a direct path to the semi-finals.
Thursday turned out to be a significant day in India’s campaign. South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, delivered a crucial victory over West Indies, which immediately reopened India’s qualification chances. Later in the evening, India backed that result with a dominant performance against Zimbabwe at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, securing a convincing win.
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However, the job is far from finished. The final Super 8 encounter between India and the West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata will now determine which team advances as the second semi-finalist from the group.
Following India’s victory, pacer Arshdeep Singh shared a light-hearted moment about how intensely his family followed the earlier South Africa vs West Indies match. Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone, he revealed that his father, Darshan Singh, was extremely invested in the result.
“My family was in the room and when the West Indies batters were hitting, papa gaali de rahe the ki kya kar raha hai,” Arshdeep Singh said with a smile.
He added that he tried to calm the situation at home while staying focused on India’s own performance.
“So I was like, it’s okay, don’t be angry and just enjoy the match and hope South Africa win and we also win our remaining matches. If we play good cricket, the result will take care of itself.”
South Africa have now officially sealed the first semi-final spot from Group 1 and remain the only unbeaten team in the tournament so far. India’s earlier defeat to the Proteas had severely damaged their net run rate, but South Africa’s win over West Indies helped neutralize that concern.
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With the NRR equation no longer a major factor, the spotlight now shifts to Sunday’s high-stakes clash in Kolkata. For India and West Indies, it is effectively a knockout match — the winner moves into the semi-finals, while the loser’s campaign in the T20 World Cup comes to an end.
