Ahmedabad is all set to host another match between South Africa and West Indies. These two legends of T20I cricket will face each other in the eighth round match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 on 26th February.
The following article contains a detailed preview of the West Indies vs South Africa T20 World Cup match. The article will include their probable playing XI, best probable player, head-to-head record and broadcast details of the game, as well as weather and pitch report at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India.
West Indies vs South Africa T20 World Cup Match Preview:
Match Date: West Indies vs South Africa match will be played on Thursday 26th February.
Venue: The match will be held at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Timing: The match is scheduled to start at 3.00 PM IST.
West Indies vs South Africa full squad:
South Africa cricket team: Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Marco Johnson, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Mfaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith and Tristan Stubbs.
West Indies cricket team: Shai Hope (captain), Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Moti, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jaden Seales and Romario Shepherd.
West Indies vs South Africa Probable XI:
West Indies’ playing 11: Brandon King, Shai Hope (captain and wicketkeeper), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Moti and Shamar Joseph.
South Africa’s playing 11: Quinton de Kock (w), Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brewis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Johnson, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada.
Key battles of West Indies vs South Africa T20 World Cup match:
Shimron Hetmyer vs Marco Johnson:
This will be a very internal competition. Both are accomplished in their respective departments. Shimron Hetmyer, one of the most lethal batsmen of the format, will look to make the most of the batting-friendly deck. If he is able to play a few balls without facing any such troubles, it could be detrimental for the South African cricket team. In-form fast bowler Marco Johnson should try to dismiss the batsman as soon as possible.
Sherfane Rutherford vs Kagiso Rabada:
West Indies’ batting line-up is full of explosive batsmen. Sherfane Rutherford is one of those batsmen who can snatch the game from the opposition team. Like Shimron Hetmyer, Rutherford is also capable of playing long innings to make the most impact on the pitch. Kagiso Rabada, with all his experience, will be the perfect fast bowler to dismiss the dangerous batsman.
Quinton de Kock vs Jason Holder:
This will be a fight between two experienced candidates from their respective teams. Quinton de Kock has scored many clutch knocks since his return from retirement. For West Indies, Jason Holder is one of the main forces driving the team forward.
Key players for West Indies vs South Africa:
Key players of West Indies: Shai Hope (captain and wicketkeeper), Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein.
South Africa’s key players: Quinton de Kock (w), Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton, David Miller, Marco Johnson and Lungi Ngidi.
WI vs SA Live Streaming and Broadcast:
WI vs SA broadcast in India: The West Indies vs South Africa match will be telecast live on Star Sports network across India.
Online Live Streaming in India: ICC T20 World Cup 2026 matches can be live streamed on Jio HotStar app with an active subscription.
West Indies vs South Africa T20 World Cup match weather and pitch report—India:
WI vs SA Weather Report in Ahmedabad:
The temperature is now on the rise. Since the match in Ahmedabad will take place at 3.00 PM IST, the players may feel the heat, especially in the first innings of the match. There is no chance of rain during the match; There will be sunny weather all around the city. According to the weather forecast, the temperature during the match may remain between 34 to 30 degrees Celsius.
WI vs SA Pitch Report at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Traditionally, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad provides a batting-friendly surface. In the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the ground helped the batsmen in many matches. The pitch may be quite dry due to the sunny weather. The pitch is expected to be flat.
West Indies vs South Africa head-to-head records:
According to ESPNcricinfo, from 2007 to 2026, West Indies vs South Africa have faced each other in 29 Twenty20 International matches. With a win ratio of 48.27, South Africa won 14 matches, while West Indies won the remaining 15 matches, taking their win ratio against South Africa to 51.72.
| match | WI won | SA won | tie | Drag | no results |
| overall | 15 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| in the last 5 matches | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| In T20 World Cup | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
West Indies vs South Africa Last 5 Match Results:
1. West Indies vs South Africa: West Indies won by 6 runs on 31 January 2026 at Johannesburg.
2. West Indies vs South Africa: South Africa won by 7 wickets at Centurion on January 29, 2026.
3. West Indies vs South Africa: South Africa won by 9 wickets at Paarl on January 27, 2026.
4. West Indies vs South Africa: West Indies won by 8 wickets at Taruba on 27 August 2024.
5. West Indies vs South Africa: West Indies won by 30 runs at Taruba on 25 August 2024.
West Indies vs South Africa T20 World Cup Match – Conclusion:
Statistics are also not enough to separate these two teams. Whenever, at whatever venue, West Indies and South Africa face each other for a T20I match, it ends up being a seesaw match. Same thing can be expected in Ahmedabad on 26th February. The Caribbean may have a slight advantage over the Proteas due to the subcontinent’s batting conditions.
read more: India’s batting coach reveals South Africa’s ‘unfair advantage’ in T20 World Cup 2026
