South Africa didn’t just win their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2026 — they sent a loud message.
In Ahmedabad, under the lights of the massive Narendra Modi Stadium, the Proteas absolutely steamrolled Canada by 57 runs in Group D. From ball one it felt like South Africa were playing a different sport.
Aiden Markram won the toss, chose to bat, and then basically decided the game was already over.
He walked out and played like a man who’s tired of finishing second. His 59 off 32 balls was pure class mixed with serious intent — 10 crisp fours and one properly dispatched six. Together with Quinton de Kock they smashed 66 in the powerplay and never really looked back. Canada’s bowlers looked helpless.
Even when Ansh Patel managed to strike back with a tidy 3/31 (including the prized wicket of Markram), the momentum never shifted. Ryan Rickelton played a quickfire 33, and then David Miller (39*) and Tristan Stubbs (34*) just took over. That unbeaten 75-run stand in the last few overs felt brutal — big hits, smart running, pure confidence. 213/4. Game over, really.
Canada’s chase never even got going.
Lungi Ngidi was on fire from the first over. He swung it, seamed it, and just kept taking wickets. 4/31 in his four overs, three of them in the powerplay. By the time he was done Canada were 45/4 and the game was already toast. Kagiso Rabada kept the pressure on at the other end, and the rest of the attack never let Canada breathe.
Navneet Dhaliwal fought hard for his 64 and Harsh Thaker added a useful 33, but it was never going to be enough. Canada limped to 156/8. Comfortable South African win. Very comfortable.
Man of the Match went to Ngidi, but honestly Markram’s captain’s knock set the tone. This felt like a team that’s learned from the heartbreak of the 2024 final and is determined not to let it happen again.South Africa look hungry, deep, and very dangerous.
