As the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 shifts into high gear, the Super 8 stage presents a mouth-watering clash between two undefeated heavyweights: India and South Africa. Set to take place at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, February 22, this fixture carries significant weight for the Men in Blue as they look to defend their crown. Amidst the tactical buzz, former Indian wicketkeeper-batter and renowned commentator Deep Dasgupta has weighed in on the selection headaches facing the Indian management, specifically regarding the balance of the bowling attack.
Deep Dasgupta reveals his India XI choices for the Super 8 clash against South Africa
Dasgupta believes that India’s final XI will hinge on two “interconnected” decisions, primarily involving the choice between spin-bowling all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. According to Dasgupta, the selection is not just about the individual players, but how they facilitate the usage of India’s spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah.
“If Arshdeep Singh is playing, they might go with Axar Patel,” Dasgupta noted during an interaction on Star Sports. However, he argued that if the team decides to bench Arshdeep to bolster another department, Sundar becomes the primary choice. The rationale lies in Sundar’s proficiency with the new ball. By having Washington bowl the initial powerplay overs, captain Suryakumar Yadav gains the “freedom” to preserve Bumrah’s four overs for high-impact phases later in the innings.
Dasgupta also pointed out that South Africa’s batting lineup—featuring left-handers like Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, and David Miller—makes a compelling case for Washington’s off-spin. He observed that Washington was likely given a game against the Netherlands specifically to get into the groove for this specific tactical matchup. Importantly, Dasgupta reassured fans that opting for Sundar over Axar wouldn’t hurt the team’s batting depth, stating that “Washington is no mug with the bat either” at the number eight position.
India’s dominant path with an unbeaten streak to the Super 8s
India enter the Super 8 stage riding a massive wave of momentum, having finished the group stage with a perfect record. Their journey through Group A was a testament to their clinical consistency, securing four wins in as many matches.
The Men in Blue kicked off their campaign with a 29-run victory over the USA, followed by a dominant 93-run win against Namibia. The high-voltage clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in Colombo saw India emerge victorious by 61 runs, a result that effectively sealed their progression. In their final group game against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad, India posted a formidable 193/6, headlined by Shivam Dube’s explosive 66 off 31 balls. Despite a spirited chase from the Dutch, India held their nerve to win by 17 runs, extending their T20I winning streak to an incredible 12 matches.
This unbeaten run has been defined by a different “Player of the Match” in nearly every game, from Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya to Ishan Kishan and Dube, showcasing a squad where everyone is contributing to the collective goal.
Deep Dasgupta’s predicted India XI:
Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
