India, reeling from a devastating 76-run defeat at the hands of South Africa where Suryakumar Yadav’s team collapsed for a mere 111 runs, now finds its World Cup destiny intertwined with the outcome of this SA vs WI thriller. Here is everything you need to know about today's high-stakes match, the streaming details, and the complex qualification scenarios for Team India.
The Pitch and The Players: What to Expect in Ahmedabad
The clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium promises to be a battle of contrasting styles. The West Indies come into this match blazing with momentum, fresh off a jaw-dropping 107-run victory over Zimbabwe in Mumbai where they piled up 254/6—the second-highest total in T20 World Cup history. Riding high on the explosive form of Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, and Romario Shepherd, the Caribbean side looks reminiscent of their 2012-2016 golden era. However, power-hitting alone may not be enough against South Africa’s formidable, well-balanced bowling attack. The Proteas have been camping in Ahmedabad for a fortnight and have completely decoded the local conditions. Their mix of high-pace seamers and tight middle-over control proved lethal against India and is designed to squeeze the life out of aggressive batting lineups. South African spinner Keshav Maharaj noted that the pitch in Ahmedabad has played differently across their last four matches there, making quick adaptation the key to victory over brute force.Why India is Cheering for South Africa Today
It sounds ironic after suffering their worst-ever run defeat in T20 World Cup history to them, but Indian fans desperately need South Africa to win today. Here is the scenario: If South Africa wins: India’s path remains somewhat in their own hands. If the Proteas defeat the West Indies, India simply needs to win their remaining two matches against Zimbabwe (later today in Chennai) and the West Indies (on March 1 in Kolkata) to qualify for the semifinals. If West Indies wins: The group blows wide open, and it spells major trouble for India. If the Caribbean side pulls off an upset, India will not only have to win their remaining games but win them by massive margins. Currently sitting on a dismal net run rate (NRR) of -3.800, India would have to mathematically outpace the run rates of either South Africa or the West Indies to avoid elimination.SA vs WI T20 World Cup Match Timing and Live Streaming Details
For fans eagerly waiting to catch the action live, here are the crucial broadcast and streaming details for the West Indies vs South Africa match:- Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
- Match Start Time: 3:00 PM IST
- Toss Time: 2:30 PM IST
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Live Telecast on TV (India): Star Sports Network
- Live Streaming Online: JioHotstar app and website (Requires a premium subscription or eligible telecom plan)