Don’t Expect World Cup Midway, Says Ten Doeschate After India’s Super 8 Defea

February 23, 2026

Delhi: After India’s 76-run defeat against South Africa in the Super 8 stage in Ahmedabad, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate admitted the team’s performance was disappointing but reminded everyone that a World Cup cannot be won midway through the tournament.

India’s 12-match winning streak came to an end as they suffered their first loss of the T20 World Cup. Ten Doeschate said the team understands its mistakes and now needs a strong comeback in the remaining matches.

Must-Win Situation for Team India

The defending champions, who lifted the trophy in Barbados in 2024, now face a tough road to the semi-finals. India will likely need victories against Zimbabwe and the West Indies in their remaining Super 8 fixtures to stay in contention.

Ten Doeschate said the team has “messed up on a grand scale” and now the responsibility is on the players to deliver two solid performances and secure at least four points to qualify.

Sundar Picked Over Axar – Here’s Why

Explaining the team selection, the coach said Washington Sundar was preferred over Axar Patel due to South Africa’s left-handed batters like Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton and David Miller.

The plan was to have a bowler who could be effective in the powerplay. However, Sundar did not bowl in the powerplay, making the decision look questionable in hindsight. Ten Doeschate added that team selections are always made with the best intentions for victory.

Concern Over Top-Order Form

The coach also addressed the poor form of Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma. He revealed that Abhishek’s preparation was affected due to food poisoning before the tournament, which impacted his rhythm and confidence.

Despite the setbacks, the coaching staff remains hopeful and believes the team can bounce back strongly in the upcoming matches.

Tags: India vs South Africa, T20 World Cup, Ryan ten Doeschate, Team India, Super 8, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Cricket News