The Indian cricket team won the T20 World Cup final despite being in a tricky spot.© AFP

File photo of Jasprit Bumrah.© AFP

“Gutted” and “hurt” after South Africa’s heartbreak in the T20 World Cup final, skipper Aiden Markram was aware that they could have won the game against India while hunting down 177, which they felt was a “chasable total”. South Africa stood so close to the trophy yet ended up so far. They had a sniff at lifting their World Cup trophy when the equation read 26 runs needed in the final four overs. With Heinrich Klaasen bossing the spinners and David Miller waiting to open his arms on the other end, victory seemed just moments away from South Africa’s grasp.

But the dynamics and the calculus of the game shifted when Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah decided to bear the brunt of the power-hitting duo.

The game went down the wire, but India held their nerves and emerged victorious with a 7-run win, leaving South Africa in a position from which they will take some time to reflect on their campaign.

“Gutted for the time being. It’ll take some time for us to have a really good reflection on a really good campaign the group had. Obviously, for the time being, like I mentioned, it hurts quite a bit. Having said that, I’m incredibly proud of this group of players and everyone involved with the team. I feel they bowled well. Don’t think there was a whole lot to work with regards to the pitch. Thought we did well to restrict them to what we thought was a chaseable total. Thought we batted really well as well, and it came down to the wire,” Markram said in the post-match presentation.

It was a game that kept the spectators on the edge of their seats with all its expected twists and turns. After Klaasen’s quick-fire fifty ended, things quickly changed, taking the game out of South Africa’s hands.

In the next eighteen deliveries, South Africa lost two wickets while managing to put just ten turns on the board, leaving them in a peculiar situation in the final over.

“A really good game of cricket. We’ve seen with a lot of our games in this campaign – it’s never over till the last ball is bowled. We never got comfortable, there’s always an element of scoreboard pressure. And especially at the back end, things happen quite quickly and can turn quite quickly as well. We got into a great position, which proves we’re worthy finalists,” Markram added.

When Klaasen was muscling away spinners to pick effortless boundaries, South Africa looked destined to lift their maiden T20I trophy. However, things didn’t eventually fall in their favour, yet their inspiring journey remains a proud moment for them.

“Could’ve won the game today. Unfortunately, we didn’t. Still, like I mentioned, incredibly proud of the group. Hopefully, in a really good way. One thing guaranteed about South Africans, wherever they are in the world, is they’re a really competitive person, really respectful person, and a person that will go down with a fight. Hopefully, looking forward, we can draw a lot from those few things and keep putting the skill side of the sport to good use. It’s still a proud moment for us,” Markram concluded.

WI vs SA T20 World Cup 2024 LIVE Updates: West Indies final chance in Super 8.© X (Twitter)

West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 Live Streaming: West Indies could see curtains drawn to their 2024 T20 World Cup on home soil, if they lose to South Africa in the final Super 8 game. West Indies currently lie on the same number of points as England, but with a better net run rate, and a loss for the English to the USA would see West Indies and South Africa qualify no matter what. While South Africa come into the game with a 100% win record in the T20 World Cup so far, a big defeat for them, along with a big win for England, could dramatically swing the scales.

When will the West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match be played?

The West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be played on Monday, June 24 (IST).

Where will the West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match be played?

The West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua.

What time will the West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match start?

The West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will start at 6:00 AM IST. The toss will take place at 5:30 AM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match?

The West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be telecast in India on the Star Sports Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match?

The West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be streamed live on Disney plus Hotstar app and website.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 LIVE Updates© AFP

England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 Live Streaming: England face South Africa in a crucial Super 8 game of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Both sides won their opening games; South Africa outclassed USA, while England chased down 181 in just 17.3 overs against West Indies. Both sides will breathe a sigh of relief, as their openers returned to form. Phil Salt finally scored big, devastating the Windies bowling with a 47-ball 87, while Quinton de Kock scored 74 off 40 balls. However, England might head into the game in St. Lucia with a slight edge, having played their opening group game at the same venue.

When will the England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match be played?

The England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be played on Friday, June 21 (IST).

Where will the England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match be played?

The England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be played at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St. Lucia.

What time will the England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match start?

The England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will start at 8:00 PM IST. The toss will take place at 7:30 PM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match?

The England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be telecast in India on the Star Sports Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match?

The England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be streamed live on Disney plus Hotstar app and website.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

USA vs SA, T20 World Cup 2024 Highlights: South Africa started Super 8 with a win.© AFP

USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Live Streaming: USA’s dream run at the 2024 T20 World Cup continues into the Super 8, where they’ll first face South Africa, who won every single game in Group D. However, as the tournament shifts to the West Indies completely, the USA won’t feel home support and home conditions anymore. No South African apart from David Miller is yet to score more than 80 runs in the tournament, but their poor batting will be put to the test against the fire and confidence oozed by Saurabh Netravalkar and Ali Khan at the moment.

When will the USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match be played?

The USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be played on Wednesday, June 19 (IST).

Where will the USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match be played?

The USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua.

What time will the USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match start?

The USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will start at 8:00 PM IST. The toss will take place at 7:30 PM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match?

The USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be telecast in India on the Star Sports Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match?

The USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be streamed live on Disney Plus Hotstar app and website.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

Dubai :

Former ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions Sri Lanka find themselves in Group D alongside South Africa, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Nepal for the upcoming tournament. This group promises thrilling matches with rivals Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, South Africa and Netherlands pitted against one another. While Nepal gears up for their second appearance in the marquee event, the group boasts no clear-cut favourite with history bearing witness that each team carries the potential to beat the other. Let’s run through the teams in this group and what we can expect from them.

Bangladesh:

Bangladesh enters the T20 World Cup with a bit of uncertainty as they continue to look for their strongest XI. Experienced opener Litton Das has been out of form of late with an average of 13.16 this year in six matches. Although teammate Tawhid Hridoy is confident that Das will make a strong comeback in the tournament.

Another concern is the injury to vice-captain Taskin Ahmed and his fitness will be monitored prior to Bangladesh’s first contest against Sri Lanka on 7 June after he suffered a side strain before the final match of the recent series against Zimbabwe.

The Tigers have backed experience. Other than Das, they have former Bangladesh skippers Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan who can provide Najmul Hossain Shanto much-needed support as he undertakes his first ICC tournament as the new captain.

Squad:

Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Taskin Ahmed (Vice Captain), Litton Kumer Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shakib Al Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Tanvir Islam, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Travelling reserves: Afif Hossain, Hasan Mahmud

Fixtures:

7 June: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, Dallas

10 June: South Africa vs Bangladesh, New York

13 June: Bangladesh vs Netherlands, St. Vincent

16 June: Bangladesh vs Nepal, St. Vincent

Players to watch out for:

In conditions that are expected to be slow with some assistance from spinners, Mustafizur Rahman’s skill set including deceptive off-cutters can turn out to be useful.

Mustafizur has time and again proven to be a match-winner for Bangladesh. His control in the middle overs and effectiveness in the final overs with a recovering Taskin Ahmed make him a priceless inclusion.

Nepal:

Nepal will feature a young side at the T20 World Cup, with 21-year-old Rohit Paudel leading the team as captain. Paudel’s recent form against West Indies A in the lead up to the tournament is a big positive with scores of 112, 71*, and 82 in the series.

Gulshan Jha, who appeared at the U19 World Cup earlier in the year, along with 19-year-old Pratis GC are the other young stars expected to bring fireworks.

Sompal Kami, the fast bowling all-rounder, is the sole player from Nepal’s inaugural 2014 squad to feature in the 2024 edition, with veteran Karan KC joining him as the team’s senior member.

This will mark Nepal’s second appearance in the tournament making them the least experienced side in the group.

Squad:

Rohit Paudel (c), Aasif Sheikh, Anil Kumar Sah, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Pratis GC, Sundeep Jora, Abinash Bohara, Sagar Dhakal, Kamal Singh Airee

Fixtures:

4 June: Netherlands vs Nepal, Dallas

11 June: Sri Lanka vs Nepal, Florida

14 June: South Africa vs Nepal, St. Vincent

16 June: Bangladesh vs Nepal, St. Vincent

Players to watch out for:

The latest entrant in the six sixes club, Dipendra Singh Airee, comes in with a hard-hitting reputation. Dipendra bludgeoned six sixes in the ACC Men’s T20I Premier Cup clash against Qatar becoming only the third men’s player to do so in T20Is after Yuvraj Singh (2007) and Keiron Pollard (2021).

He also is the current record holder of the fastest T20I fifty. The right-handed batter achieved this feat in nine balls, breaking Yuvraj’s record of 12 deliveries.

The 24-year-old’s contribution in the middle overs can help Nepal put up a strong challenge in the group.

Netherlands:

The Netherlands have often brought the element of surprise in an ICC tournament. They have the edge over Proteas, beating them in the last two ICC Men’s tournaments – in the 2022 T20 World Cup and the 2023 Cricket World Cup.

They will face South Africa again on 8 June in New York with the aim to complete a hat-trick of wins. 20-year-old Michael Levitt has found a place in the absence of Colin Ackermann after an impressive hundred against Namibia earlier this year.

The Dutch have restored their core players for this edition with captain Scott Edwards, Bas de Leede, Logan van Beek, Max O’Dowd, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Vikram Singh and Wesley Barresi bringing the experience.

Squad:

Scott Edwards (c), Aryan Dutt, Bas de Leede, Daniel Doram, Fred Klaassen, Logan van Beek, Max O’Dowd, Michael Levitt, Paul van Meekeren, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Teja Nidamanuru, Tim Pringle, Vikram Singh, Viv Kingma, Wesley Barresi. Reserve: Kyle Klein

Fixtures:

4 June: Netherlands vs Nepal, Dallas

8 June: Netherlands vs South Africa, New York

13 June: Bangladesh vs Netherlands, St. Vincent

16 June: Sri Lanka vs Netherlands, St. Lucia

Players to watch out for:

Bas de Leede has been instrumental for the Netherlands with both bat and ball. For his impressive performance last year, de Leede was awarded with the ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year.

However, the 24-year-old all-rounder has played little T20I cricket of late, with his recent appearances in the tri-series with Scotland and Ireland being his first matches in the shortest format since 2022 at the most recent edition of the T20 World Cup. De Leede was one of the Netherlands’ best at the event where he finished as their leading wicket-taker with 13 scalps.

South Africa:

Perhaps the strongest side in this group and the tournament, South Africa have put together a strong squad.

The batting line-up consists of experienced Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and Reeza Hendricks who can bludgeon bowling attacks with Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs promising to bring the spark of youth.

The fast-bowling department displays assurance with Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen and Ottniel Baartman. Meanwhile, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi and Bjorn Fortuin complete the spin department.

However, the Proteas miss a genuine all-rounder in their line-up. Jansen has proven to be handy with the bat but primarily serves as their opening bowler.

The pressure will be on as Proteas hope to make their first appearance in a final of the Men’s T20 World Cup.

Squad:

Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs

Fixtures:

3 June: Sri Lanka vs South Africa, New York

8 June: Netherlands vs South Africa, New York

10 June: South Africa vs Bangladesh, New York

14 June: South Africa vs Nepal, St. Vincent

Players to watch out for:

The dangerous Heinrich Klaasen has been in top form since the start of this year. Across all T20 competitions, Klaasen has smashed 69 maximums in 25 matches from 25 matches.

Klaasen brings versatility. Not only can he keep wickets, but he also brings the ability to attack spin bowling with a strike rate of 159.09 against them in T20s. His performance in this year’s SA20 and the IPL has confirmed that he can play the explosive middle-order batter role to perfection.

Sri Lanka:

Wanindu Hasaranga will undertake his first major assignment as the newly appointed Sri Lanka. The Lions have struck a balance with a unit that checks most boxes.

Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Dhananjaya De Silva compose a firm batting group. Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka bring experience as seam-bowling all-rounders with captain Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage as the spin-bowling all-rounders.

Maheesh Theekshana is expected to share spin duties with Hasaranga equally. Dilshan Madushanka’s bowling prowess in the Powerplay will be lethal to deal with Matheesha Pathirana to take care of the final overs with Dushmantha Chameera, and Nuwan Thushara completing the pace attack.

Squad:

Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka. Traveling Reserves: Asitha Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Janith Liyanage

Fixtures:

3 June: Sri Lanka vs South Africa, New York

7 June: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, Dallas

11 June: Sri Lanka vs Nepal, Florida

16 June: Sri Lanka vs Netherlands, St. Lucia

Players to watch out for:

A bowler who can deliver every ball at over 145 kmph with a lethal yorker in his arsenal – Matheesha Pathirana will be a headache for most batters, especially in the death overs.

Pathirana’s recent exploits at the Indian Premier League (IPL) have added to his reputation as a dangerous pacer despite only having played six T20Is. In only six games for Chennai in IPL 2024, the death-specialist 13 wickets with an economy rate of 7.68.

Although he returned midway through the IPL season with a hamstring injury, Pathirana has been named in the squad and is expected to be fit in time.