Surprise Showdown: West Indies vs South Africa in Ahmedabad

West Indies and South Africa will meet again on February 26 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match is part of the Super‑8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026. The game will kick off at 3:00 PM IST, and fans can watch it live on Star Sports or stream it through the Jio HotStar app if they have a subscription. The pitch at Ahmedabad is known for helping batsmen. It is usually flat and dry, especially when the sun shines brightly. The weather forecast says temperatures will be between 30 °C and 34 °C, so players will feel heat during the first innings. No rain is expected, giving a clear day for cricket. South Africa’s squad includes captain Aiden Markram, wicket‑keeper Quinton de Kock, and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada. They also have experienced all‑rounder Ryan Rickelton and quick batsman David Miller.West Indies will be led by Shai Hope, who also keeps wickets. Key players are Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford and fast bowler Akeal Hosein. The team also fields the powerful opener Roston Chase. A key battle will be between Hetmyer and South Africa’s pacer Marco Jansen. Hetmyer loves a bat‑friendly surface, while Jansen will try to take wickets early. Another clash is between Rutherford’s explosive batting and Rabada’s swing bowling. Both sides will look to outscore the other in a high‑scoring game. From 2007 to 2026, the two teams have played 29 T20Is. South Africa has won 14 matches and West Indies 15, so the rivalry is very close. Recent encounters show a mix of wins for both sides. The match promises an exciting contest, with the West Indies possibly having a slight edge on subcontinental conditions. Fans can expect a back‑and‑forth battle that could swing either way.