HIGHLIGHTS India vs South Africa, ICC Men's T20 World Cup Warm-up Matches 2026, 10 T20- Result, Scorecard

We are back for the run chase! The umpires are back out in the middle and so are the Indian players, who form a huddle and take their places on the field. Surprising to see that George Linde has been sent in to open the innings for South Africa alongside Aiden Markram. Arshdeep Singh is ready to start proceedinngs with the new ball. Let's play...

... The Run Chase ...

A daunting task awaits South Africa - 241 is what South Africa need to get their campaign in the sub-continent underway and it will be a test of their batting depth now. India have a plethora of pacers and spinners to choose from and they will be confident of defending this total. However, the pitch looks flat and there will be opportunities for the batters to go big, and it should be an exciting chase. Stay tuned.

An evening to forget for the Proteas in the field - A side boasting of such depth in the pace attack has simply been dismantled tonight. Aiden Markram gave one-over spells to all his 6 pacers in the Powerplay and none of them could do anything to restrict the opposition. Spin didn't make much difference either but when they slowed it up or changed their lengths, there was some purchase on offer. Anrich Nortje was taken to the cleaners, and so were most of the bowlers but the likes of Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi did comeback in their spells later on.

India flex their batting might - That is a swashbuckling first 20 overs with the bat from India and they have put a daunting total on the board. It was carnage through and through from the Indian batters but Ishan Kishan up top was the most impressive. He was retired out after a quickfire half-century and so was Abhishek Sharma, who scored 24 runs. Tilak Varma came back into the main team and it was like he never left as he made 45 off just 19 balls. Everyone in the Indian middle order contributed and Hardik Pandya's feisty cameo of 30 runs off just 10 balls was the icing on the cake.

Corbin Bosch to Harshit Rana, Oh, Corbin Bosch has gotten away with it. Even the crowd shows their frustration! Too short and down leg, Harshit Rana leaves it alone. India end with a massive 240/6 on the board.

Harshit Rana walks out to face the final ball.

Corbin Bosch to Hardik Pandya, OUT! TAKEN! A nice little cameo comes to an end. Corbin Bosch keeps it short and bowls it across and a bit wide. Pandya pulls but mistimes, he slices it away to deep cover where Marco Jansen runs in and holds onto it. Hardik Pandya goes for 30 (10).

Corbin Bosch to Hardik Pandya, SIX! Easy pickings! Short again, touch slower and a bit too much width. Pandya stands tall and pulls with authority over long on for a six.

Corbin Bosch to Hardik Pandya, FOUR! Dropped! A tough one to hold on. Bangs it short and around off, Hardik Pandya throws the kitchen sink at it as he pulls but gets a top edge behind the keeper. Jason Smith runs behind from short third man, tries to take over his shoulder but spills it out. It rolls to the fence.

Corbin Bosch to Axar Patel, Touch fuller, outside off, Patel punches off the back foot to cover for a single.

Corbin Bosch to Hardik Pandya, A fuller delivery from around the wicket, gives width outside off. Hardik Pandya lofts it nicely to long off and settles with a run.

Kagiso Rabada to Hardik Pandya, Great execution! A pinpoint yorker on middle, Hardik Pandya can only dig it out on the off side and run across.

Kagiso Rabada to Hardik Pandya, FOUR! POWERED! Not that short, this is on top of off. Hardik Pandya clears his front leg a long way and opens up his body, pumps it over KG's head and it races to long off.

Kagiso Rabada to Axar Patel, Very full, wide of off, Axar Patel crunches it to the right of the mid off fielder. Aiden Markram dives across and saves three crucial runs for his team. A single.

Kagiso Rabada to Axar Patel, FOUR! Width given and Patel greets it with a boundary! Well outside off on a length, Axar Patel slashes his blade and hits it through covers and it races to the fence.

Kagiso Rabada to Hardik Pandya, Nails the yorker and gets the line close to the middle pole. HP nudges it down to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Hardik Pandya, SIX! Bread and butter stuff for Kung Fu Pandya! A yorker, sliding well down leg, just a little flick of the wrist from Pandya and that's all it needs for the ball to sail over square leg for a six.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, Two quality overs from South Africa! Serves it very full, on leg, Axar Patel anticipated another slower delivery and fails to flick it away.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, A nice slower bouncer into the surface. On leg, Patel backs away to ramp it over but misses.

Anrich Nortje to Hardik Pandya, Short of a good length, outside off, Hardik Pandya rocks back and cuts it to the left of deep point for a single.

Anrich Nortje to Hardik Pandya, SIX! One hand is all he needs to clear the fence. A juicy full toss on middle, Hardik Pandya swings his blade and cue ends. He also loses the grip as one hand comes up but still gets enough power as the ball sails over the long on fence.

The next batter is in and it is Hardik Pandya, who comes in to replace Rinku Singh.

Anrich Nortje to Rinku Singh, OUT! TAKEN! This will boost Nortje's confidence a lot! Anrich Nortje learns from Lungi Ngidi's over. Bowls it into the slot, slower delivery on middle, Rinku Singh gets underneath as he bends his back knee but mistimes it to long on. Tristan Stubbs slides to his right and completes the catch.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, Anrich Nortje rolls his finger as he bowls a good length delivery on the pads. Patel steps behind and tries to fend it away. He miscues it on the off side for a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Rinku Singh, Fantastic over from Ngidi! Just what is required on this kind of pitch! A full toss, a bit hig but again dipping in time, outside off. Singh slashes his blade and misses.

Lungi Ngidi to Rinku Singh, Another dot! A full toss, gentle but dipping again towards the batter. Rinku Singh charges down and swings only to miss it.

Lungi Ngidi to Axar Patel, Quality from Ngidi! Bowls a wide yorker, slanting across the batter. Patel throws his blade and pats it to point.

Lungi Ngidi to Axar Patel, Well bowled again! Flirts with the tramline and serves it across the batter. Patel lets it be as Ngidi bowls just inside the line.

Lungi Ngidi to Rinku Singh, Nicely bowled once again! Fuller delivery, dipping onto the batter, outside off. This is punched to long off for a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Axar Patel, A wide yorker on the slower side, outside off. Patel tries to jam it out but edges it around the corner and the batters rotate across.

Corbin Bosch to Rinku Singh, Slower and fuller, on middle, Rinku Singh shimmies down the track and pushes it back to the bowler. A tidy over from Corbin Bosch, only coming 5 runs from it.

Corbin Bosch to Rinku Singh, WIDE! Much fuller, spraying down the leg side, Singh misses on his flick.

Corbin Bosch to Axar Patel, Another slower delivery, fuller, on the stumps. Axar Patel charges down the track and pushes it to long off for a single.

Corbin Bosch to Rinku Singh, Short, outside off, Rinku Singh slaps it from the inner part of the bat to cover for a single.

Halt! A pacy delivery from Corbin Bosch and Singh wears it on the side of the grill. A quick concussion protocol is going on and Rinku Singh passes it.

Corbin Bosch to Rinku Singh, OUCH! That has hit straight to the helmet of the batter. This is a slower bouncer, around the shoulder of the batter. Rinku Singh looks to ramp it once again, but as he sees the ball coming straight towards his face, he removes his sight on the delivery, but it hits the right part of the helmet.

Corbin Bosch to Axar Patel, On a length, outside off, Axar Patel steers it to short third for a single.

Corbin Bosch to Rinku Singh, Slower and fuller, outside off, Rinku Singh drags it to wide long on for a single.

Corbin Bosch (1-0-14-0) is back on, replacing Aiden Markram.

Kagiso Rabada to Axar Patel, Fuller, outside off, Axar Patel drives it into the gap between deep point and sweeper cover. Both the fielder charges toward it, converges, but does well to save the boundary. Two runs taken.

Kagiso Rabada to Axar Patel, Back of a length, outside off, Axar Patel looks to punch it away but gets beaten.

Kagiso Rabada to Axar Patel, SIX! CHECKY FROM PATEL! Short of a length, on off, Axar Patel arches back and ramps it over the deep third fence for half a dozen.

Kagiso Rabada to Axar Patel, FOUR! STREAKY! Rabada aims for a yorker, but bowls a low full toss, shaping it away from the off stump. Axar Patel tries to dril it through cover but gets a slight nick on the outside edge. The ball zips past the left of the keeper and rolls away to deep third for four runs.

Kagiso Rabada to Rinku Singh, On a length, on middle, Rinku Singh flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Rinku Singh, SIX! Rinku Singh greets Rabada with a big one! Good-length delivery, on off, angling it bit away. Rinku Singh charges down the crease and lofts it over the long off fence from the middle of his bat.

DRINKS BREAK! The scoring rate has slowed down a bit. India still in a good position, looking for a score around 225 or so. Aiden Markram has shuffled his pack and has done a decent job in the last few overs. With the batting depth India have, they'll have a good chance to keep the intent going but South Africa will try their best to stem the run flow.

Aiden Markram to Rinku Singh, Short, on middle, Rinku Singh flicks it to long on for a single.

Aiden Markram to Rinku Singh, FOUR! EDGED AND AWAY! Short of a length, outside off, Rinku Singh attempts to heave it across the line, but the ball gets the inside edge. The ball bounces off through short third and Rinku gets his first boundary in a streaky way.

Aiden Markram to Axar Patel, Full, wide outside off, Axar Patel punches it hard with cross-bat to long off for one run.

Aiden Markram to Axar Patel, WIDE! Short and wide outside off, beyond the tramline. Patel makes a leave at it.

Aiden Markram to Axar Patel, Short, just outside off, Axar Patel cuts it but straight to the backward point fielder.

Aiden Markram to Rinku Singh, Short, on off, Rinku Singh pushes it to deep point for a single.

Aiden Markram to Axar Patel, Full, on leg, Axar Patel flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Rinku Singh is the next batter in, replacing Suryakumar Yadav.

Kwena Maphaka to Suryakumar Yadav, OUT! IN THE AIR... TAKEN! The slower one does the trick. Kwena Maphaka rolls his fingers just before releasing the delivery to take the pace off and pitches it fuller, angling across the right-hander. Suryakumar Yadav shuffles across the stumps and crouches a bit low to swing it over deep square leg, but fails to get the timing right. The ball balloons toward George Linde in the deep square leg region who takes a firm catch. Suryakumar Yadav departs scoting 30 off 16 balls.

Kwena Maphaka to Axar Patel, Back of a length, around middle, Axar Patel pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Kwena Maphaka to Suryakumar Yadav, Short and outside off, SKY steers it wide point and gets a single.

Kwena Maphaka to Suryakumar Yadav, Short, outside off, Suryakumar Yadav shuffles across the stump and flicks this as well but misses the connection.

Kwena Maphaka to Suryakumar Yadav, SIX! He makes it look so simple! On a hard length, on the top of the leg pole. Suryakumar Yadav stays tall and just flicks his wrists and use the pace of the bowler against him. The ball sails over the deep fine leg fence and SKY gets another biggie into his account.

Kwena Maphaka to Axar Patel, Back of a length, around the leg stump, Axar Patel looks to flick it but gets a slight inside edge. The ball thumps the thigh pad and rolls away to deep third. Single taken.

Change in bowling. Kwena Maphaka to steam in. Went for 10 runs in his first over.

George Linde to Suryakumar Yadav, Tossed up on the stumps, Yadav advances and lofts it down to the left of long on. The fielder does well to scamper across to his left and palm the ball back in. Two taken.

George Linde to Axar Patel, Flat and full outside off, Patel angles it to the right of short fine leg. Anrich Nortje dives and makes the stop, saving three runs for his side.

George Linde to Axar Patel, SIX! High and handsome. Tossed up around off, slower too. Axar Patel dances down the pitch and followsthrough nicely, heaving it high over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

George Linde to Suryakumar Yadav, Around middle, Suryakumar Yadav sits down and drags the sweep through square leg for one more.

George Linde to Axar Patel, Good length on middle, the ball grips a bit. Patel turns it off the pads through square leg for a single.

George Linde to Suryakumar Yadav, Drifted into the leg stump, SKY shimmies down the track and goes inside-out but mistimes the lofted shot wide of long off for a single.

South Africa pick the first wicket of the night. Axar Patel replaces Tilak Varma.

Marco Jansen to Tilak Varma, OUT! TIMBER! Bowled around the legs and Tilak Varma has to walk back here. Marco Jansen stays around the wicket and bowls it full, swinging it into the pads. Varma gets inside the line to flick but misses the ball and it just clips the outside of the leg stump. One of the bails falls off but the third umpire has a look at it. Replays confirm that Varma is out and he departs after making a quickfire 45 (19).

Tilak Varma has been bowled around his legs. The third umpire just wants to have a quick look. The side angle shows the ball clips the leg pole and one bail falls over.

Marco Jansen to Tilak Varma, FOUR! Short of a length and angled across the stumps, Tilak Varma swivels a bit and pulls it down and wide of mid on. Kagiso Rabada dives to his left, gets a hand on it but the ball still trickles away into the fence behind.

Marco Jansen to Suryakumar Yadav, Back of a length and outside off, slashed away wide of deep third for a run more.

Marco Jansen to Tilak Varma, Full and around off, slower too. Varma tucks it through wide mid on for a run.

Marco Jansen to Suryakumar Yadav, DROPPED! That should have been taken and once again, Suryakumar Yadav gets a bit of luck. Back of a length and at the bodyline, stops on the batter a bit. Yadav looks to pick it up over the square leg fence but miscues it over mid-wicket. Corbin Bosch runs in and dives but spills the catch. Single taken.

Marco Jansen to Suryakumar Yadav, FOUR! Another inside edge and SKY is riding his luck here. Hard length around the top of off. Yadav looks to get on his toes and whip it away but gets an inside edge past the stumps and the ball rolls into the fine leg fence.

At the halfway mark, India are 135/2. Also, Marco Jansen (1-0-7-0) is brought back on.

Aiden Markram to Tilak Varma, FOUR! A boundary to end the over and at the halfway stage, India are 135/2. Dragged down from Markram, short and outside off. Varma backs away and slaps it over point for a boundary.

Aiden Markram to Tilak Varma, Two is the call and two is what Tilak gets. Floated up, full on middle. Varma leans on and works it away wide of mid-wicket for a brace.

Aiden Markram to Suryakumar Yadav, Flatter one on the pads, worked away 'round the corner on the leg side for a single.

Aiden Markram to Suryakumar Yadav, FOUR! Oh, unlucky for the bowler. Tossed up, full on middle and leg. Suryakumar Yadav swings wildly across the line but gets an inside edge through fine leg and picks up a boundary.

Aiden Markram to Tilak Varma, Flighted ball on middle and leg, held back a touch. Varma tucks it through mid on and turns the strike over.

Aiden Markram to Suryakumar Yadav, Fired in, full and well outside off. Yadav swats it down to long off for a single.

Spin continues from the other end. Aiden Markram replaces George Linde.

Anrich Nortje to Tilak Varma, SIX! This is a simulation, right? Tilak Varma has picked the bones out of this one as well. Slower one, full and outside off, Varma stays leg side of the ball and spanks it wide of long off for a biggie. Anrich Nortje has gone for 49 runs in his 2 overs so far.

Anrich Nortje to Tilak Varma, SIX! Wow, that's courageous from Tilak Varma. He charges at the bowler who is bowling around 150 clicks and smokes the length ball, flat and hard over long on for a biggie.

Anrich Nortje to Suryakumar Yadav, Back of a length and angled across middle, SKY hops outside the line of the ball and angles it down to deep backward point. Good fielding in the deep and it will only be a single.

Anrich Nortje to Suryakumar Yadav, Banged in quick and short over off stump. Yadav shuffles across to the off side early but nearly gets cleaned up as the ball flies past his helmet.

Anrich Nortje to Suryakumar Yadav, SIX! Up, up and just over the fence. Nortje comes around the wicket and bowls it shorter at the hips. Suryakumar Yadav hangs deep in the crease and whips it over deep square leg for a six.

Anrich Nortje to Tilak Varma, Nortje jams a yorker in on off stump. Varma digs it out to mid on and scampers through for the single.

George Linde to Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma has not recovered from the injury suffered and won't be able to participate any more with the bat. As it stands, Abhishek Sharma is retired out.

Abhishek Sharma is being retired out now. Suryakumar Yadav joins Tilak Varma in the middle. The on-air commentators inform that Abhishek Sharma is retired hurt and not retired out. Hopefully, it's nothing too serious for Sharma. Also, Anrich Nortje is back on. He went for 29 runs in his first over.

George Linde to Abhishek Sharma, Full and outside off, Abhishek Sharma attempts for a big slog hit, but the ball evades from the outside edge of the bat.

George Linde to Tilak Varma, Full, on middle, Tilak Varma punches it to long on for a single.

George Linde to Tilak Varma, FOUR! More runs for India! Short and on leg and middle. Tilak Varma flicks it with power toward the backward deep square leg for a boundary. Kwena Maphaka ran to his left and put in the slide but the replays show that his feet were in contact with the rope when the ball was pushed back in. The 100 is also up for India.

George Linde to Tilak Varma, Short, outside off, Tilak Varma looks to push it to cover, but inner edges it back to the bowler.

George Linde to Tilak Varma, SIX! THAT IS MAGNIFICENT! Full-length delivery, on the sixth stump. Tilak Varma plants his front foot ahead and swings his arm across the line to smoke it over wide long on fence for six runs. That's his first biggie of the inning.

George Linde to Tilak Varma, George Linde jogs from around the wicket and bowls it fuller, outside off, Tilak Varma crouches a bit low and heaves it from the inner part of his bat to deep mid-wicket for a brace.

A halt in play and the Indian physio is out in the middle for a brief time. Not quite sure what that was about. George Linde also comes on to bowl now, the first over of spin from the Proteas coming up.

Lungi Ngidi to Abhishek Sharma, Width offered once again, outside off, Abhishek Sharma opens the face of the bat and steers it to point.

Lungi Ngidi to Abhishek Sharma, Excellent delivery from Ngidi! Slower yorker, angling it wide outside off. Sharma extends his arm to push it away, but his willow is no way near the delivery.

Lungi Ngidi to Tilak Varma, Good-length delivery, on middle, Tilak Varma nudges it from his front foot to square leg for a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Abhishek Sharma, Slower and much fuller, angling wide outside off. Abhishek Sharma pushes it with soft hands through cover for one.

Lungi Ngidi to Tilak Varma, On a length, outside off, Tilak Varma eases it to short third for a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Tilak Varma, Good-length delivery, around the pads of the batter. Tilak Varma flicks it to the right of the short fine leg fielder, who dives and gets some hands to it, enough to slow the face of the ball. Stubbs moves to his left in the deep and cuts it off, and the batter gets two runs.

Lungi Ngidi to Tilak Varma, WIDE! Lungi Ngidi scoots from over the wicket and pitches it wide outside off, angling it away from the tramline. Tilak Varma extends his arm to hit it away, but misses.

Aiden Markram keeps ringing in the changes. Lungi Ngidi is back into the attack. He went for 14 in the opening over of the game.

Kwena Maphaka to Tilak Varma, Short and wide outside off, Tilak Varma frees his arm and slaps it up and over the point region, but doens't quite get the middle of the bat. Therefore, the ball drops short of the boundary ropes and George Linde has the time to cut it off, keeping it down to three runs.

Kwena Maphaka to Tilak Varma, Full-length delivery, on off, Tilak Varma drives it to the mid off fielder.

Kwena Maphaka to Ishan Kishan, Ishan Kishan has not recovered from the injury suffered and won't be able to participate any more with the bat. As it stands, Ishan Kishan is retired out.

DRINKS BREAK! Ishan Kishan is being retired out now. Well, that was entertaining. The Proteas bowlers will be happy to see Kishan walking back, not sure about the crowd, though. Anyway, South Africa will now look to regroup and reassess their plans. Meanwhile, India will look to continue the carnage and make full use of that deep batting lineup. Also, Tilak Varma comes in to replace Ishan Kishan now.

Kwena Maphaka to Ishan Kishan, SIX! BOOM! That will be FIFTY FOR KISHAN. This is a bit slower and fuller from Kwena Maphaka, on middle and off. Ishan Kishan clears his front foot and slogs it across the line over deep mid-wicket fence for six more runs. He lifts his willow and soaks up all the applause from the supporting fans watching his strokeplay.

Kwena Maphaka to Ishan Kishan, On a hard length, on middle and off. Ishan Kishan hangs a bit back and once again tries to slap it through cover, but fails to get the connection.

Kwena Maphaka to Ishan Kishan, Back of a length, outside off, Ishan Kishan looks to cut at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Kwena Maphaka to Abhishek Sharma, Full, on off, Abhishek Sharma flicks it to square leg and gets a single.

This is surreal hitting from Ishan Kishan. Is this a warm-up game or an exhibition match? Now, the sixth pacer comes into the attack in the form of Kwena Maphaka.

Anrich Nortje to Ishan Kishan, SIX! Nothing is working for South Africa right now! This is a well-directed bouncer, on middle, around the helmet of the batter. Ishan Kishan looks to pull, but the ball comes big at him. Kishan removes his sight on the delivery, but fails to lower his willow. The ball hits the top edge of the bat and luckily the ball loops over short fine leg for four runs.

Anrich Nortje to Ishan Kishan, FOUR! Ishan Kishan moves into the 40's now! Fuller, on middle, Ishan Kishan uses his bottom hand and punches it upishly over the mid on region for four runs.

Anrich Nortje to Ishan Kishan, SIX! The crowd is loving it as Ishan Kishan is just not stopping! Back of a length, on leg and middle. Ishan Kishan lifts his front leg up and this time he flicks it with a bit power to sail it over deep fine leg for another biggie.

Anrich Nortje to Ishan Kishan, SIX! Oh, this is outstanding batting from Kishan! Nortje pitches it hard, on the length around the hips of the batter. Ishan Kishan just rolls his wrists and flicks it with the perfect timing to lob the delivery over deep fine leg for six more runs.

Anrich Nortje to Abhishek Sharma, On a length, angling across the off stump. Abhishek Sharma looks to heave it across the line, but gets the inside edge and hits on the pad. The ball rolls away to cover and the batter gets a quick single.

Anrich Nortje to Abhishek Sharma, SIX! Up, up and over! This is on a good length, on middle and off. Abhishek Sharma makes room on the leg side, skips down the track and opens the face of the bat to slash it over the sweeper cover fence for half a dozen. 50 comes up for India.

The fifth pace bowler is now on for South Africa in the first 5 overs. Anrich Nortje comes on to bowl, replacing Kagiso Rabada.

Corbin Bosch to Ishan Kishan, 14 runs off Bosch's first over. Gets the stumps into play, around off and touch short. Kishan tries to fend it away but misses and it rolls to the keeper.

Corbin Bosch to Abhishek Sharma, Corbin Bosch finally bowls one to the field! A slower bumper on leg, Abhishek Sharma pulls but mistimes it to the left of Kwena Maphaka at deep square leg, who palms it back and keeps it down to a single.

Corbin Bosch to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Streaky but it all counts. Length is slightly short, width on offer. Abhishek Sharma throws the kitchen sink at it and edges it past Anrich Nortje at short third man for a boundary.

Corbin Bosch to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! India beginning to motor on now. A bit too full on this occasion, outside off, Abhishek Sharma crunches on the up, over extra cover and it races to the fence.

Corbin Bosch to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! One-bounce four! Hard length delivery, little bit of width. Abhishek Sharma says thank you as he hammers it over mid off and finds his first boundary.

Corbin Bosch to Ishan Kishan, Bosch bangs it short, outside off, Kishan slashes it straight to deep point for a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Abhishek Sharma, Pitches it up, around off, Sharma goes for timing rather than power and hits it straight to mid off.

Kagiso Rabada to Abhishek Sharma, That should have been put away! A rare occasion where Abhishek Sharma missed out. A low gentle full toss on the pads. Sharma fails to put his bat on it.

Kagiso Rabada to Ishan Kishan, Leg bye! Touch short and on middle and leg, a bit into the surface. Kishan is rushed as he tries to help it away.

Kagiso Rabada to Ishan Kishan, SIX! This is clean as a whistle from Kishan! Rabada overcorrects and pushes it full and on middle and leg, Ishan Kishan stands tall and punishes it over mid-wicket for a six. Third already for Ishan.

Kagiso Rabada to Abhishek Sharma, Gives width outside off but KG bowls the off-cutter across the batter. Abhishek Sharma slaps it to deep point for one.

Kagiso Rabada to Abhishek Sharma, Wide! Length ball from over the wicket, well down leg. Sharma fails to connect it.

Kagiso Rabada to Abhishek Sharma, Rabada attacks the stumps straight up with a length delivery. Abhishek Sharma punches it to cover.

Marco Jansen to Ishan Kishan, FOUR! Belted away! Slightly loose from Jansen as he tries the slower delivery but overpitches it in the slot. Kishan lofts it over mid off and it rolls to the fence.

Can Marco Jansen close out the over well? Just 3 off it so far but this is the extra ball he has to bowl because of the wide.

Marco Jansen to Ishan Kishan, WIDE! Gets it to swing into the batter but bowls it down the leg side. Ishan looks to clip it away but msises.

Marco Jansen to Ishan Kishan, What an excellent grab from Ryan Rickelton behind the stumps. Shaping away, fuller and down the leg side, Kishan swings across and misses. Ryan Rickelton dives to his right and pouches with his right hand.

Marco Jansen to Abhishek Sharma, Abhishek Sharma is off and running! Length delivery, outside off, Abhishek Sharma uses the room to carve it to deep point for a single.

Marco Jansen to Abhishek Sharma, Extra bounce on this one, too! Short of a good length on the hips. Sharma tries to work the angle away but fails and wears it on the pads.

Marco Jansen to Abhishek Sharma, Into the surface, hard length and gets good bounce off the surface, around off. Abhishek Sharma makes room and flashes hard but miscues off the inner half of the bat, back to Jansen.

Marco Jansen to Ishan Kishan, Jansen pushes it through, fuller and around the fifth stump line. Kishan pats it past backward point for a single.

Marco Jansen is ready to operate from the other end.

Lungi Ngidi to Ishan Kishan, A gentle full toss, around off, dips onto the batter, Kishan eases it to mid on and keeps the strike. 14 runs off the first over.

Lungi Ngidi to Ishan Kishan, SIX! Helped away effortlessly! Lungi Ngidi errs in line, little bit of swing on offer but too straight on the pads. Ishan Kishan gets his wrists into play as he flicks it over square leg for a six.

Lungi Ngidi to Ishan Kishan, Tries the slower fuller delivery and bowls it around off, Ishan Kishan presses forward and knocks it to cover.

Lungi Ngidi to Ishan Kishan, Lungi Ngidi corrects his length and drags it a bit short, around off and seaming away. Ishan Kishan is squared up as he leans across to push it away but misses.

Lungi Ngidi to Ishan Kishan, SIX! DISMISSED! First of many expected today! Pitched up, in the slot on middle. The ball doesn't do much and Ishan Kishan launches it over long on for a massive six.

Lungi Ngidi to Ishan Kishan, WIDE. Lungi Ngidi gets away here! Shorter, straighter and on leg. Ishan Kishan looks to pull it away but misses.

Lungi Ngidi to Ishan Kishan, Bowls on a good length, around off, shaping back in. Ishan Kishan, without much foot movement, punches it to cover.

All in readiness for the game to begin. The umpires are out in the middle and the South African players can be seen in a huddle before striding onto the field of play. It will be the duo of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan to open the innings for India. Ryan Rickelton is actually donning the keeping gloves, not Quinton de Kock. Lungi Ngidi has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

Pitch Report - Abhinav Mukund starts off saying that 430 runs were scored in the match between India A and USA on this pitch. Nick Knight joins the analysis and says that there's not much grass on the ball, and reckons that the ball will carry on this track. Also says the team winning the toss can do whatever they want, as it's a warm-up match and the teams have all the liberty to try out different new things.

The captain of South Africa - Aiden Markram expresses satisfaction with the decision to bowl first, noting that the toss alignment offered South Africa a valuable opportunity to readjust to Indian conditions. Acknowledging the significant shift from the playing environment in South Africa, he remained optimistic that the team’s recent experience in India would accelerate their acclimatisation process. Markram emphasises that the squad is clear on its starting combinations and individual roles, shifting the primary focus towards rebuilding collective rhythm and executing their established game plan as they settle into the series.

India's captain - Suryakumar Yadav describes the venue as a paradise for batters, citing a recent high-scoring match between India A and USA. Affirms that Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma will be opening the innings for them in this game. He mentions that the pitch to be used tonight is similar to the one in the previous match and expects it to have pace and carry. Yadav believes dew won't be a major factor and predicts a run-feast tonight, given the nature of the pitch. Yadav calls the pitch a belter and suggests that the teams should enjoy the warm-up game before the real competition begins.

South Africa - Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Ryan Rickelton, David Miller, Dewald Brevis, George Linde, Jason Smith, Marco Jansen, Tristan Stubbs, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka and Lungi Ngidi.

India - Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson (WK), Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy.

TOSS - Up goes the coin, and it lands in favour of Suryakumar Yadav. India have opted to BAT first!

Final chance to sharpen the tools - The Proteas’ success may ultimately hinge on their adaptability to local conditions and on the hope to go one step further than their previous runner-up finish. As both giants fine-tune their strategies in Navi Mumbai, expect some fireworks under the lights in the warm-up game. Toss coming up next.

The Proteas look to go one better - South Africa heads into the tournament with a reshaped squad following injuries to Tony de Zorzi and Donovan Ferreira. While David Miller works back to full fitness, the Proteas rely on the 'red-hot' Quinton de Kock and captain Aiden Markram. Late additions Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs add spark, but the team's tournament hopes may rest on how surprise pick Jason Smith and spinners Keshav Maharaj and George Linde adapt to the turning tracks of India and Sri Lanka.

Unanswered questions - India’s selection dilemmas highlight their strength. Ishan Kishan is challenging Sanju Samson for the gloves, while Axar Patel is expected to edge out Kuldeep Yadav to provide extra batting cushion. With a pace attack led by Jasprit Bumrah and the mystery spin of Varun Chakaravarthy, the Men in Blue look well-equipped to defend their crown on home soil. This game might end up being an audition for those couple of spots still up for grabs in the Playing XI come the opeinng game of the mega event.

Rematch of the 2024 Final - The T20 World Cup returns to the subcontinent as defending champions India and runners-up South Africa face off in a marquee warm-up match at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium. India enter the tournament as the heavy favorite, boasting immense depth and recent momentum from a 4-1 series win over New Zealand. Despite injury concerns for Washington Sundar and Tilak Varma, the squad remains lethal with Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav in peak form, supported by the clinical finishing of Rinku Singh and Hardik Pandya.

... MATCH DAY ...

Sharpening steel before the battle begins - The stage is set for a high-voltage clash as two of the most dangerous outfits in T20 cricket go up against each other, not for points, but for polish. With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 just around the corner, India and South Africa meet one last time to tighten the loose ends and sharpen the rough edges in a warm-up clash at the DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. Sure, it’s officially just a practice game with nothing tangible on the line. But scratch the surface and there’s plenty at stake. Combinations to lock in, roles to clarify, nerves to settle, and statements to be made. Routes mapped ahead - Let’s quickly take a look at where these two sides stand in the main draw. South Africa find themselves in Group D, alongside strong contenders Afghanistan and New Zealand, with Canada and UAE completing the group. India, meanwhile, are slotted into Group A, placed alongside Pakistan, and also featuring challengers in the form of USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands. Rampaging India - In their recent assignment, India found a lot of positives, especially in the batting department. Abhishek Sharma has been operating in top gear, setting the tone up front and giving the side the kind of starts every T20 team craves. Ishan Kishan, fresh off a statement century, has made it clear that he is very much here to stay. Add to that Suryakumar Yadav easing back into form, along with a middle order packed with power and timing, and India’s batting unit is beginning to look well-oiled at just the right moment. The bowlers, more often than not, found themselves on the receiving end, but that is part of the territory in a high-scoring series. The likes of Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah, along with Harshit Rana, will be keen to tighten things up, find their rhythm back alongside a frugal spin trio. The Proteas charge with fire in veins - With a top order featuring Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, there is very little to separate them when it comes to firepower. The Proteas showed just how destructive they can be when they chased down a historic 222 in only 17.3 overs, with de Kock smashing a century and Rickelton breezing his way to 77 against West Indies. The one area they will be keen to shore up is the middle order. Youngsters Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs, along with the experienced David Miller, will want to turn promising starts into decisive contributions. On the bowling front, spinners Keshav Maharaj and George Linde will look to make the most of the spin-friendly conditions, backed by a genuinely lethal pace attack spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen. It’s all about momentum - Both teams walk in riding a serious wave of confidence. South Africa were sharp and ruthless at home, brushing aside West Indies 2-1 with barely a crack in their armour. India, on the other hand, sent out a statement of their own, taking down New Zealand 4-1 and ticking most of the boxes along the way. So when these two sides come up against each other, it is less about labels and more about rhythm. Two in-form teams built on a reputation of a ruthlessly aggressive style of cricket in the shortest format get one final chance to carry that momentum cleanly into the World Cup. Should be an engaging one.