Former Pakistan cricketer Tanvir Ahmed believes India missed the stabilising presence of Virat Kohli after the defending champions suffered a heavy defeat to the South Africa national cricket team in the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Reflecting on the result, Tanvir said Kohli’s ability to anchor difficult run chases had long been the backbone of India’s batting success in pressure situations.

India were handed a crushing 76-run defeat while chasing a challenging target of 188. The top order collapsed during the Powerplay, leaving the middle and lower order with too much to do. As wickets kept falling, the chase quickly slipped away from India national cricket team, eventually ending with the hosts bowled out for just 111.

The defeat marked India’s biggest loss by runs in T20 World Cup history and their first defeat in an ICC tournament since the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Final.

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Speaking on Pakistan’s Bol Network after the match, Tanvir argued that Kohli’s presence could have made a major difference in the chase. According to him, the former India captain had often been the pillar around which the team built its innings in high-pressure run chases.

“They have played cricket on the shoulders of Virat Kohli. Now they have understood what it feels like when the asking rate is 12-13 runs per over,” Tanvir Ahmed said.

🚨 Tanveer Ahmed’s brain has started working ❗

– This is the same Tanveer Ahmed whose mind is in his knees and never utters any sensible words, but with the blessings of Ramadan, his mind is now starting to work pic.twitter.com/3XlAjr4hBg

— SheR•ALI (@Sher__Ali) February 23, 2026

“I’ve heard a lot of negative things about Virat Kohli, but the truth is others scored because Kohli anchored. If Kohli played steadily, others followed. But he is no longer around.”

Tanvir also pointed out how leadership from experienced figures like Rohit Sharma had previously helped India maintain composure during tense moments in major tournaments.

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“I guarantee you, had Virat Kohli been part of this dressing room, he would have aced the chase against South Africa,” he added.

Earlier in the match, India’s bowlers had actually started well. Jasprit Bumrah produced a brilliant spell of 3 for 15 to keep South Africa to 187/7. However, India’s aggressive batting approach backfired on a sluggish Ahmedabad pitch, leaving them under immense pressure ahead of their remaining Super 8 fixtures in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.