T20 World Cup: Ravi Shastri calls South Africa loss a timely shake-up for India
India Today
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri feels India's 76-run hammering by South Africa in the Super Eights of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup could prove to be a timely wake-up call rather than a decisive setback to their semi-final chances.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes India's crushing 76-run defeat to South Africa in the Super Eights of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup could serve as a much-needed wake-up call rather than a fatal blow to their semi-final hopes.
India were dismantled at the Narendra Modi Stadium, where Marco Jansen's stunning 4-22 spearheaded South Africa's ruthless bowling performance. Chasing 188, India collapsed to 111 all out in 18.5 overs, marking their first loss in an ICC event since the 2023 ODI World Cup final at the same venue.
Reacting to the setback in the ICC Review, Shastri struck a measured tone, suggesting the defeat may have come at the right time in the tournament.
"You win 12 matches on the trot, there's bound to be an off day. And I'm glad it has come early. It might just be the shake-up India needed," Shastri said.
After being reduced to 51/5 in the chase, India never recovered as South Africa's disciplined attack, led by Jansen (4-22) and Keshav Maharaj (3-24), exposed frailties in the defending champions' batting unit. The heavy margin of defeat also left India with a net run rate of -3.8, meaning they must now win their remaining Super Eight matches against Zimbabwe and the West Indies to stay firmly in semi-final contention.
Shastri indicated that beyond the result, the manner of the defeat could trigger a strategic reassessment within the camp.
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On this day on March 14, 2001, India overcame a massive first-innings deficit to script a remarkable 171-run victory against Australia in the 2001 Kolkata Test, powered by the record-breaking partnership of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman and a dominant display by Harbhajan Singh on the final day.