India’s preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 gathered significant momentum on February 4 as the hosts produced a strong performance to beat South Africa by 30 runs in their sole warm-up match at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. The contest delivered plenty of action, confidence-boosting contributions and one of the most entertaining practice matches ahead of the tournament kick-off.
India’s batting statement
After winning the toss and electing to bat, India put up a big total of 240/6 in their 20 overs, with several batters showcasing intent and firepower. Ishan Kishan led the charge with a blistering 53 off 20 balls, peppering the boundary ropes and accelerating from the start. Middle-order contributions were equally significant, with Tilak Varma scoring 45 off 19, Suryakumar Yadav making 30 off 16, and Axar Patel’s unbeaten 35 off 23 helping keep the innings flying in the death overs. Hardik Pandya also provided valuable impetus with 30 off 10 to ensure India’s total remained intimidating on a batter-friendly surface.
South Africa’s bowlers toiled against the onslaught. They eventually limited the scoring to some extent, but were repeatedly put under pressure as India’s batters found their range early and often.
Proteas respond but fall short
Chasing 241 for victory, South Africa fought back with Ryan Rickelton top-scoring with 44 off 21 balls and Marco Jansen offering some resistance with 28 not out off 12. Aiden Markram also chipped in with a brisk 38 off 19. However, Regular breakthroughs by India’s bowlers prevented sustained partnerships and kept the chase under control. Arshdeep Singh struck early, and spin from Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy added pressure that ultimately stalled the Proteas’ momentum, leaving them at 210/7 in 20 overs. That left India with a comfortable 30-run victory in the practice fixture.
Key contributors and tactical takeaways
India’s innings was characterised by aggressive intent and depth. Kishan’s explosive start set the tone, while Tilak and Suryakumar provided the middle-overs stability needed to maintain a high run rate. Axar’s finishing knock ensured India didn’t merely post a big score but did so with striking acceleration in the closing stages.
With the ball, India combined pace and spin effectively. Arshdeep’s early strike stemmed South Africa’s initial momentum, and the variation offered by spin in the middle overs regularly forced adjustments from the Proteas batters as Kuldeep, Varun & Axar took 1 wicket each. Notably, Abhishek also rolled his arm & picked 2 wickets.
Attendance and atmosphere
The warm-up match was played in front of a strong crowd at Dr DY Patil, with organisers reporting an attendance exceeding 43,000 fans, an exceptional turnout for a preparatory fixture and a sign of the buzz surrounding the tournament in India. The packed stands provided a near-tournament atmosphere, energising players and underscoring the excitement building ahead of the World Cup proper.
What this means ahead of World Cup
Although warm-up matches do not count towards official T20 World Cup statistics, the performance will be useful for both teams. India’s combination of big hitting, depth and bowling balance gives them momentum as they finalise their plans for tournament competition. South Africa, despite the loss, will take positives from individual contributions while continuing to sharpen their plans before their group fixtures begin.
India now shift focus to their opening World Cup match on February 7 against USA as they launch their campaign in front of passionate home crowds, carrying the confidence of a comprehensive warm-up performance into the competition.
