Having lifted the trophy in Barbados in 2024, India entered this year’s tournament as one of the favourites to go deep once again. However, their devastating loss to South Africa in their Super Eight match on Sunday in Ahmedabad has reshaped the group dynamics and tightened the race for the semi-finals. Against South Africa, India went down with a 76-run loss in what was a rematch of the 2024 T20 World Cup final. Chasing a competitive target of 188, India were bundled out for 111 in 18.5 overs, copping their first defeat of the tournament. Speaking on South Africa's victory, David Miller, who was South Africa's leading scorer with 63, said India are beatable provided we stay in our lane. 

"That they are beatable. India come with, as I mentioned, an incredible team, but I think for us in a tournament like this, it's about making sure that we do, as I said, I keep going back to the simple things and making sure that we stay in our lane as a player and do the job and get the job done. We're a mature team. A lot of guys have played together and a lot of cricket for South Africa, and that goes a long way under pressure. So I think it's just staying in your lane, making sure that you get the job done and keep wanting more," David Miller said at the press conference.

South Africa's bowling might was on full display with Lungi Ngidi and Keshav Maharaj keeping Indian batters in check. While Lungi Ngidi stopped the flow of runs, conceding only 15 runs in his four overs, Keshav Maharaj provided crucial breakthroughs. Maharaj dismissed Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh and Arshdeep Singh in the 15th over to put India out of the game. Miller praised South Africa's bowling efforts that made sure India remained on the ropes throughout their chase. 

"I mean, it is difficult. As I said, the guys executed really, really well. I thought they changed up quite a lot. Lungi Ngidi is coming in and bowling a lot of slow balls. Found that the Indian batting lineup is really dangerous. They hit a lot of sixes and a lot of boundaries. It's just accepting the fact that they are really good and making sure you put that aside and come up with plans that might be different. Tonight it was really good, different field, and obviously getting 187 on the board and getting one or two wickets up front always puts the opposition under pressure. So that was always our objective, and the guys executed really, really well," Miller said.

"Keshav Maharaj. I mean, he's an experienced player, he's bowled a lot of overs his life and been in pressured situations, and it is difficult to come in and bowl to six lefties, but I thought he did so well. He changed it up, different lines around the wicket, all that kind of stuff and then the pace guys also got through the lefties. So it is an intimidating batting lineup, but slowly but surely we got through them," Miller added.