India stamp authority in high-octane warm-up against South Africa

By K.R. Nayar
From DY Patil Stadium

For cricket fans across the globe, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is just three days away. And what better way to keep up the excitement than a high-octane warm-up clash between two heavyweight contenders? A mouth-watering India–South Africa warm-up at the DY Patil Stadium did exactly that, igniting anticipation and hopes among fans. This was not merely another preparatory fixture; it was a reunion of the finalists from the previous T20 World Cup, a tournament India had conquered in style. In this dress rehearsal too, India stamped their authority, emerging winners by 30 runs.

There was no trophy on offer and nothing tangible to pocket, but this warm-up carried far greater significance — a chance to tick every box before the real battle begins. Over 40,000 passionate fans filled the stands, roaring their support.

Team India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, walked in brimming with confidence after a commanding 4–1 home series triumph over New Zealand. South Africa were no less assured, arriving fresh from clinching a three-match series against the West Indies. Warm-up matches may not carry points, but they carry purpose. Combinations are explored, playing elevens are shuffled, and roles are quietly tested as teams fine-tune their World Cup plans.

This was the final rehearsal before the spotlight truly falls. So when India won the toss and chose to bat, there was freedom rather than pressure for the batters. Left-handers Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma walked out to open, and Kishan wasted no time in entertaining the crowd. After a wide from Lungi Ngidi, he clobbered the second legal delivery for a towering six over deep mid-wicket, and followed it up by launching the fifth ball over deep square leg. That was precisely what the crowd had come to witness. Fourteen runs flowed from the opening over, setting the tone.

Sanju Samson’s omission from the playing eleven — following a poor run in his last five outings — quickly became a major talking point. Kishan now appears poised to retain the wicketkeeper’s slot for the entire World Cup, potentially shutting the door on Samson’s chances. The ease with which Ishan batted, coupled with his silky strokeplay, was a delight to behold. The pair’s 50-run stand off just 25 balls underlined a strong possibility: this could well be India’s opening combination for the World Cup.

In the fifth over, Kishan shifted gears dramatically, unleashing his most destructive self as he tore into Anrich Nortje for 29 runs in the over, which included three towering sixes and a boundary.

Kishan retired out after a blistering 53 off just 20 balls, an innings studded with seven sixes and two boundaries. Once the score crossed 100 in 8.1 overs, Abhishek Sharma too walked off, having contributed a brisk 24. It was a spectacular exhibition of fearless batting. Tilak Varma’s fluent 19-ball 45 further elevated the spectacle, while Hardik Pandya made maximum use of the death overs, blasting 30 from just 10 deliveries.

Chasing a daunting 240 for 5 was never going to be easy, though South Africa did flash glimpses of their formidable batting firepower. Skipper Aiden Markram led from the front, providing a rapid start before retiring out on 38. Ryan Rickelton (44) and Jason Smith (35) batted aggressively, but the disciplined Indian bowling attack ensured the required run rate continued to climb. Tristan Stubbs (45 not out) and Marco Jansen (31) mounted a late charge, dragging their side closer to the target. In fact, Stubbs plundered 20 runs off the final over from Shivam Dube with three successive sixes — but for this, the margin of defeat might have been even more emphatic.

India’s top scorer, Ishan Kishan, later reflected on his role and mindset: “I was looking forward to opening the innings. I used to bat at number three and enjoyed that situation as well. But with the World Cup coming up, no matter what position I bat in, my focus will be  always on doing my best for the team. I think it’s about staying in the present, watching the ball and playing the shots that are required at that point in time. I’m not putting too much thought or effort into it. I’m just reacting, watching the ball, and playing accordingly, and that seems to be working well for me. Some days you feel really good, some days you don’t. On this particular day, I also have to give credit to the pitch — it was tremendous to bat on, even in the second innings.”

Brief scores: India 240/5 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 53; Marco Jansen 1/18, Kwena Maphaka 1/19) beat South Africa 210/7 in 20 overs (Tristan Stubbs 45 not out, Ryan Rickelton 44; Abhishek Sharma 2/32) by 30 runs.