India and South Africa are all set to begin their Super 8 campaign of the T20 World Cup 2026 and both sides have started playing mind games ahead of their 2024 final rematch.

India and South Africa are all set to play in the repeat of the T20 World Cup 2024 final, and both teams have already started playing mind games in their own style.

South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad spoke about the pressure in the pre-match press conference. He said pressure is not only on his team but also on India. He took a subtle jibe at India opener Abhishek Sharma without naming him directly, saying that even a player who has scored three ducks in a row should not automatically be seen as under pressure.

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“Pressure is a big thing but it’s pressure both for us and them. I think we all talk about the pressure of playing against the top side, but we’re not quite aware of what the pressures they are under. I’m not, for one, suggesting that a guy that has three ducks in his last three matches comes under pressure for his place in his side. No,” Conrad said.

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SKY backs Abhishek

On the other hand, India captain
Suryakumar Yadav shut down talks of pressure around Abhishek, who has suffered three back-to-back ducks in the group stage. SKY said he is not worried at all. According to him, people outside the team may be worried, but inside the dressing room, there is full support for the young opener. He said when Abhishek scores even one run, everyone has seen what he can do.

“I worry for the people who are worried about Abhishek’s form. When he scores a run, you have seen what happens. The team has a requirement that the boy should play with his identity. If it happens, then it’s fine, if it doesn’t, then we are there to cover. Last year he covered for us, now we will cover for him,” Suryakumar said ahead of the T20 World Cup clash against South Africa.

India-South Africa rivalry

This blockbuster match will kick off Group 1 of the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Some fans are already calling this the final before the final.

The rivalry between India and South Africa has grown stronger since the last T20 World Cup final. In that final, South Africa controlled the match for almost 35 overs but still ended up losing the title to the Men in Blue. Later, they got some revenge by whitewashing India in a Test series in India.

India come into this match as favourites. They are unbeaten in 12 matches at T20 World Cups and will not want to lose that record. But this time, it is not only India who have something to lose. South Africa are also unbeaten in this tournament and have come through what many called the toughest group. If either team loses this match, the remaining two games in the Super 8 will become must-win encounters for them, and even that may not guarantee a semi-final spot.

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