Indian assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate did not mince words after India’s crushing 76-run defeat to South Africa national cricket team in the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad. Calling the performance “very disappointing,” he admitted the team had made mistakes on a “grand scale.”
The loss has significantly dented India’s net run rate, leaving the side with no margin for error. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India must now secure convincing wins against Zimbabwe national cricket team and West Indies cricket team to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ten Doeschate stressed that winning a World Cup demands resilience and accountability. He acknowledged that while teams might get away with one slip-up in the Super 8 phase, India’s defeat was far from minor.
“The onus is on this group to bounce back with two solid performances,” he said, underlining the urgency of the situation.
The assistant coach also addressed the recurring issue at the top of the order. India’s left-handed openers have repeatedly fallen early to part-time off-spinners, putting pressure on the middle order. The pattern has sparked discussions about potential changes, including the possible inclusion of Sanju Samson to provide tactical balance.
With qualification scenarios tightening and net run rate now a crucial factor, the Indian camp faces a defining phase in the tournament. Two commanding performances in the remaining Super 8 fixtures will be essential if they are to remain in contention for the knockout stage.