South Africa snapped India's 12-match unbeaten streak at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup as they handed the defending champions a 76-run defeat in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
South Africa posted a challenging total of 187/7 against India in their ICC Men's T20 World Cup Super Eight clash after recovering from an early top-order collapse.
South Africa's Quinton de Kock lauded Indian spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, calling him a "very good bowler", ahead of the India vs South Africa ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s match on Sunday in Ahmedabad.
India bowling coach Morne Morkel has thrown his weight behind Varun Chakaravarthy, describing him as a key strike option but underlining the importance of collective pressure from the entire bowling unit.
Speaking on Star Sports' 'Cricket Live' programme, JioStar expert Sunil Gavaskar praised Dube's improved shot selection, Varun Chakaravarthy's crucial spell and shared his thoughts on Abhishek Sharma's lean patch in the tournament.
Varun Chakaravarthy delivered a decisive spell, picking up 3/7 in two overs, while Axar Patel (2/20) and Hardik Pandya (2/21) tightened the screws. Namibia were eventually bowled out for 116 in 18.2 overs, handing India a comprehensive victory.
Indian cricketers Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy, along with members of the support staff, visited the Shri Siddhivinayak Ganpati Temple in Mumbai ahead of Team India's ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign opener against the USA at Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.
Fighting knocks from New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner and left-handed batter Raxchin Ravindra helped their side to post a challenging score of 208/6 in the second T20I against Team India at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium on Friday.
India spinner Varun Chakaravarthy said that he enjoyed the high-scoring contest against South Africa, which the Men in Blue won by 30 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
India skipper Suryakumar Yadav credited India's 3-1 T20 series win over South Africa to the team sticking to their brand of cricket and expressing themselves freely.