It has not yet been two years since a remarkable night at the Kensington Oval altered the emotional landscape of world cricket. In the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, South Africa appeared to have one hand on the trophy after dominating 35 of the 40 overs. Yet India, refusing to surrender to the mounting pressure, held their nerve to secure a dramatic seven-run victory. It was a contest that illustrated both how to lose from a position of control and how to win while staring defeat in the face.
Twenty months on, the same two sides meet again in a global tournament, this time in the Super Eight stage at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Inevitably, memories of Bridgetown have resurfaced. However, South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock insisted his team had long since moved on.
“Honestly, we forgot about that match the day after it happened,” De Kock remarked at the pre-match press conference. “I don’t think anyone in our dressing room wants to revisit it.”
South Africa played their first three group matches at the same Ahmedabad venue, turning what is nominally India’s fortress into a familiar setting. Yet the hosts do not appear unsettled. Their greater concern lies elsewhere — in the unexpected struggles of Abhishek Sharma.
Ranked No. 1 in the ICC T20 batting standings, Abhishek endured a miserable group phase, dismissed for a duck in all three of his innings. The anomaly has prompted widespread discussion. India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav responded with humour and conviction.
“I’m worried about the people who are worried about Abhishek’s form,” Suryakumar quipped, before adding a warning for opponents. “When he gets going, everyone knows what he can do. The fact that he hasn’t scored yet only increases the chance that something special is around the corner.”
Group Stage Record
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Venue for Group Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 4 | 4 | 0 | Multiple venues |
| South Africa | 4 | 4 | 0 | Ahmedabad (3 matches) |
India progressed unbeaten despite minimal contribution from their premier batter — a testament to their depth. “It’s a team game,” Suryakumar emphasised. “If he succeeds, it benefits us all. If not, someone else steps up. Last year he made things easy for us; now we play for him.”
De Kock echoed that sentiment, suggesting Abhishek’s resurgence is merely a matter of time. “He’s the No. 1 batter in the rankings for a reason. He’s young — setbacks happen. I’m sure he’ll play a decisive innings soon.”
South Africa, too, advanced through the group stage with a flawless record, though recent head-to-head history favours India, including a 3–1 T20I series defeat for the Proteas during last year’s tour of India. Still, De Kock promised a fiercely competitive encounter.
Whatever his reluctance to revisit Bridgetown, the shadow of that unforgettable final will inevitably hover over Ahmedabad. Yet this contest may well belong to Abhishek Sharma — a stage set for redemption and, perhaps, another defining chapter in a growing rivalry.