As Team India prepares to face South Africa in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026, excitement is building for the match set to take place on Sunday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has highlighted pacer Lungi Ngidi as a significant challenge for the ‘Men in Blue’.
Pathan noted that Ngidi consistently delivers near the stumps, making him a formidable opponent. “Lungi Ngidi bowls at speeds around 140 km/h, with his slower deliveries dropping to about 110 km/h—a substantial difference of 30 km. What stands out is that every ball he bowls finishes close to the stumps. His bowling action is crucial; as he releases the ball, batters often anticipate a quick delivery,” Pathan explained.
He further emphasized Ngidi’s ability to deceive batsmen without altering his bowling action or arm speed when delivering slower balls. “There’s no apparent change in his technique, yet he can suddenly deliver a slower ball. This tactic often causes batsmen to play early and push at the ball, leading to wickets. He poses a considerable threat to Indian batsmen,” Pathan added.
South Africa topped Group D, winning all four of their group matches against New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE, and Canada. They will now take on the reigning champions, India, in what promises to be an electrifying Super Eight opener at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.
Having gone unbeaten in Group A, the defending champions are entering this next stage full of confidence.
**T20 World Cup 2026, IND vs SA: Full Squads**
**India:** Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan (WK), Rinku Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma.
**South Africa:** David Miller, Quinton de Kock (WK), Keshav Maharaj, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Jason Smith, Anrich Nortje, Aiden Markram (C), Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Marco Jansen, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Kwena Maphaka.