No team has also been able to win the T20 World Cup on home soil before. The pathway to the final, though, has been anything but straightforward. India was humbled by South Africa in the first Super Eight fixture played at the same venue, losing by 76 runs.
Let’s retrace India’s path to the summit clash of the T20 World Cup 2026:
Group Stage:
India vs USA – After dominating the bilateral series against New Zealand ahead of the tournament, India was handed a reality check against the USA in its opening encounter. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s 49-ball 84 helped the side recover from Shadley van Schalkwyk’s opening burst before Mohammed Siraj’s three-wicket haul helped India begin with a win.
India vs Namibia – Ishan Kishan’s quickfire 61 propelled India to 209/9 against Namibia in New Delhi. Namibia started well but wilted against Varun Chakaravarthy’s spin, eventually getting bowled out for 116.
Ishan Kishan stamped his class with the bat during the group stage encounter against Pakistan in Colombo.
| Photo Credit:
GETTY IMAGES
Ishan Kishan stamped his class with the bat during the group stage encounter against Pakistan in Colombo.
| Photo Credit:
GETTY IMAGES
India vs Pakistan – The latest chapter of the much-hyped-about rivalry ended as a damn squib as India thrashed Pakistan by 61 runs. After Kishan’s half-century took India to 175, a collective bowling effort completed an easy win.
India vs Netherlands – It was a new batting hero for India against the Netherlands, Shivam Dube scoring 66 off 31 balls to help India post 193. Varun was the standout bowler, picking up three for 14, but the Dutch did manage to forge partnerships and come within 17 runs of the target.
Super-Eight:
India vs South Africa – India’s only loss in the World Cup so far came at the hands of the Proteas. David Miller and Dewald Brevis accelerated after a wobbly start to put up a good total. India did not turn up with the bat in reply; Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj condemning the host to 76-run loss.
India was pinned into submission by South Africa in their opening Super Eight encounter, with the visitor enjoying a 76-run victory in Ahmedabad.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI
India was pinned into submission by South Africa in their opening Super Eight encounter, with the visitor enjoying a 76-run victory in Ahmedabad.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI
India vs Zimbabwe – India rethought its combination ahead of the second Super Eight contest and with Abhishek Sharma scoring his first and only fifty of the tournament so far, posted a mammoth 256/4. Brian Bennett’s brilliant unbeaten 97 helped Zimbabwe bat through the overs and end up just 76 short.
India vs West Indies – Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97 off 50 balls in just his second game of the ongoing edition helped India chase down West Indies’ 196-run target to seal victory in the virtual quarterfinal contest.
Semifinal:
India vs England – India looked to be in the driver’s seat in the final four contest against England after Sanju’s second consecutive half-century helped the team post 253. But Jacob Bethell’s counter-attacking century kept the home side honest till the very end. India eventually progressed to the final with a seven-run win.
Published on Mar 08, 2026
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