Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has given a strong reaction to India’s 76-run defeat against South Africa in the Super-8 match of the T20 World Cup 2026. He believes that Team India lost the match between the seventh and 15th overs, when the partnership of David Miller and Dewald Brewis changed the course of the match. Apart from this, he also targeted the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, the use of Jasprit Bumrah, playing six left-handed batsmen and the bowling of Shivam Dubey.
Question on use of Bumrah
Kaif especially raised questions on the use of Jasprit Bumrah. He said, ‘We lost the match between seven and 15 overs. You bowled Bumrah’s first two overs and saved the remaining two for the death. But Rohit Sharma never used Bumrah like this. Kaif further said, ‘Bumrah used to break partnerships by bowling one over in the middle overs. There is no bigger match winner than Bumrah in this team. He should have brought one over in the powerplay and then in the 11th or 12th over.
Mention of Rohit’s strategy
Citing the strategy of former captain Rohit Sharma, Kaif said that Rohit often made Bumrah return in the middle overs after the powerplay, which broke big partnerships. Although in this match, Bumrah took important wickets of Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton in the powerplay, but he was later brought back in the 17th over, by which time South Africa had reached a strong score of 152/5. With this victory, South Africa broke India’s 12-match unbeaten streak and registered a big win by 76 runs.
Shivam Dubey also targeted
Kaif also raised questions on Shivam Dubey’s bowling usage. Dubey gave 32 runs in two overs. Kaif said, ‘Dubey is a batsman, not an all-rounder. No one bowls defensively in the 10th over. We should attack at that time. He warned, ‘We do not want an all-rounder who bowls at a speed of 120 km per hour. He may take wickets occasionally, but will also give a lot of runs. Against a team like West Indies, he can even hit four sixes in an over.
Tips on Selection and Balance
Kaif also commented on the team combination. While giving advice to captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir, he said that balance is necessary in the team. He said, ‘We are playing six left-handed batsmen in the top eight. If you want left-right combination then choose the team accordingly. Give Sanju Samson a chance.
The road to the semi-finals is difficult
After this defeat, India’s net run rate has fallen significantly and the path to the semi-finals has become difficult. Now Team India will have to win both its remaining Super-8 matches by a big margin so that the net run rate can be improved. Strategic mistakes and questions raised on bowling combination have further increased the challenge of team management.