Much like the thousands of fans glued to their television sets hours before India’s Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe began, the Indian squad was also intently following the first match of Thursday’s double-header: South Africa vs West Indies in Ahmedabad. While India required nothing less than a victory over Zimbabwe in Chennai, they also leaned on South Africa to defeat the Windies to ensure the Men in Blue’s path to the semi-final became somewhat less treacherous.
Arshdeep Singh and his father, Darshan, watched the drama unfold from their hotel room in Chennai.
Speaking to the media in the mixed zone after bowling India to a memorable victory over Zimbabwe, Arshdeep recalled the experience of watching the afternoon game. In his inimitable style, the seamer added a touch of humour, admitting he had to calm his father down when the elder Singh began hurling colourful language at the screen every time a West Indies batter cleared the rope.
“We didn’t watch the whole thing, but it was certainly a see-saw affair,” Arshdeep joked.
“My family was with me in the hotel room and whenever the West Indies batters smashed a six, my father started shouting: ‘What on earth are you doing?’. He was hurling abuse. I had to settle him down and tell him not to get so worked up. I told him to just enjoy the cricket and keep praying for a South African win.”
A FAVOURABLE RESULT IN AHMEDABAD
South Africa had won the toss and elected to field at the Narendra Modi Stadium—the same venue where India had been hammered by 76 runs by the Proteas just days prior. The West Indies, meanwhile, arrived full of confidence following a dominant win over Zimbabwe in Mumbai where they had posted a massive 254.
However, the Windies’ batting collapsed on Thursday. They slumped to 63-5 and then 83-7 before a gritty 89-run partnership for the eighth wicket between Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd dragged them to a respectable 176-8.
Despite that late fightback, the West Indies lacked the teeth to contain the South African top order. Aiden Markram’s blistering 82 off 46 balls saw the Proteas chase down the target in just 16.1 overs. With Quinton de Kock smashing 47 off 24 balls and Ryan Rickelton chipping in with 45, the Proteas comfortably sealed their semi-final berth.
Arshdeep, ever the wit, was quick to thank South Africa for the assist. “South Africa played brilliantly. We’re grateful; they’ve given us the opportunity to keep our fate in our own hands. It was great fun to watch—proper cricket. Though, we will certainly try to beat them if we meet in the final!”
DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR INDIA
It turned out to be a day of double delight for Indian supporters. The Men in Blue piled on 258 against Zimbabwe before coasting to a 72-run victory. It was a collective batting masterclass, headlined by half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya. On the bowling front, Arshdeep claimed three wickets as Zimbabwe fell well short, despite a sensational, unbeaten 97 from Brian Bennett.
Tilak Varma, shifted into the finisher’s role for the day, also admitted to watching the afternoon’s proceedings with bated breath.
“We were all watching and we knew it was a good wicket, and that the West Indies hadn’t posted enough. Knowing the form the South Africans are in, we knew they’d chase it down. The match felt over before it had even truly started,” he remarked.
EYES ON SEMIFINAL BERTH NOW
Senior pro Hardik Pandya, fresh off his blistering fifty, noted that while the team was naturally nervous watching the earlier result, they quickly pivoted to the task at hand.
“We were all keeping an eye on the South Africa-West Indies game,” Hardik admitted. “But once that was settled, it was about backing our skills, absorbing the pressure, and putting our best foot forward. As soon as their game ended, our focus shifted entirely to our own performance.”
The stakes couldn’t be higher now. India will face the West Indies in a virtual quarter-final this Sunday at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Meanwhile, South Africa—having already booked their semi-final spot—will play Zimbabwe in New Delhi, where the ‘Chevrons’ will be looking to leave a lasting impression in their final outing of the T20 World Cup 2026.
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