Shukri Conrad threatens to expose Suryakumar Yadav’s India in T20 World Cup 2026

South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad stated that India are favourites to win the upcoming Super 8 match between the two teams in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. However, Shukri said this works in the Proteas’ favour, as they can use that pressure to their advantage and look to expose India during the match.

India will take on South Africa in their next T20 World Cup match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, February 22. The Proteas finished on top of Group D after winning all four of their matches. They played their first three games at the venue, and not having to travel much has also been a big plus.

They're Going to Be Under a Lot of Pressure - Shukri Conrad

Shukri Conrad feels India are favourites, but the heavy expectations put them under pressure. The 58-year-old stated that constant scrutiny can make India vulnerable. He feels the Proteas will try to expose them and put them under pressure.

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"There's so much scrutiny, especially in a side like India. They're going to be under a lot of pressure to make the semi-finals and obviously go on and make the finals as well. Hopefully, we can expose them and make them vulnerable under that pressure," Shukri Conrad said.

That Tour Prepped Us Really Well in Terms of the Hostility - Shukri Conrad

South Africa visited India last year and lost the five-match T20I series 3-1. Shukri Conrad said the tour exposed the team to the intensity of playing in India, including the crowd atmosphere. He added that the game is just one of several matches they need to win.

"That tour gave us a really good insight as to what we could be up against. That tour prepped us really well in terms of the hostility, the fervour that's being built up around Sunday, where we could have 130,000 people crammed into the stadium, and they're going to be in blue," he said.

"But Sunday is just one of the few matches that we have to win to get through, and we're as well prepared as we can be."

"Pressure is a big thing but it's pressure both for us and them. I think we all talk about the pressure of playing against the top side, but we're not quite aware of what the pressures they are under."

South Africa's T20 World Cup 2026 Campaign and Super 8 Schedule

South Africa began with a 57-run win over Canada and then won a tense match against Afghanistan that went to a second Super Over. They continued their good run by beating New Zealand by seven wickets. The Proteas defeated the United Arab Emirates by six wickets in their final group match.

South Africa secured wins in Ahmedabad against Canada, Afghanistan, and New Zealand, while their match against the UAE was held in Delhi.

The Proteas will start their Super 8 campaign against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium. They will then face the West Indies at the same venue on February 26. Their final Super 8 match will be against Zimbabwe in Delhi on March 1.

Also read: Yuzvendra Chahal insults Hardik Pandya, names South Africa star as the better finisher