The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has reached its penultimate stage with just four teams remaining in the race for the title. The first semi-final is being played between New Zealand and South Africa with the Proteas being asked to bat first. New Zealand have brought their best run of form to this game and taken South Africa by surprise.
The Kiwis started South Africa’s demolition from the second over and took Quinton de Kock’s wicket to begin with. In came Ryan Rickelton who couldn’t survive a single delivery and walked back on the very next ball. After a brief partnership with Dewald Drevis, skipper Aiden Markram also returned to the pavilion.
South Africa’s hopes took a major hit in the tenth over when David Miller was cleaned up by Rachin Ravindra. Miller was almost dismissed by Ravindra on the first ball of that over, but Glenn Phillips dropped a sitter. Phillips would have taken it easily on any other day, but maybe the pressure of the semi-final got to him.
Despite receiving reprieves, Aiden Markram and David Miller failed to capitalise and were dismissed early during a disappointing semi-final performance. 📸: JioStar | #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/mPzJDaOXr4
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 4, 2026
Miller being dropped was seen as a huge lifeline for South Africa and as a big blow to New Zealand’s chances to go through. He took a single on the next ball and handed over the strike to Dewald Brevis who hit a six off the next ball. The pressure was on Rachin Ravindra as Miller returned to strike for the last ball of the over and this time he got him.
David Miller miscued his shot and the ball touched the edge of his bat only to end up in the secure hands of Daryl Mitchell. Rachin Ravindra had the last laugh as Miller couldn’t capitalise on his lifeline and walked off by scoring just six runs off six balls with a strike rate of 100.
