Why India missed Virat Kohli more than ever against South Africa in T20 World Cup match at Ahmedabad

On a slow black-soil surface at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, India did not just lose by 76 runs to South Africa in the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, but they also felt the absence of one man more than ever - Virat Kohli.

Chasing 188 against a disciplined South African attack, India were bowled out for 111 in 18.5 overs. The collapse exposed mistakes and panic under pressure. But above all, it highlighted the absence of Kohli, the man who has always been India’s difference-maker in big chases, especially in white-ball cricket.

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India missed its biggest chase master

There is a powerful statistic that tells the story of Kohli's missing presence. Only three times in T20 World Cup history India have successfully chased a target of 160 or more. And in all three matches, Kohli was Player of the Match.

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In 2014 against South Africa, he scored an unbeaten 72. In 2016 against Australia, he produced a masterclass 82 not out. In 2022 against arch-rivals Pakistan, he played one of the greatest T20 innings ever - 82 not out at Melbourne. Kohli stood tall on each occasion when the target was big and the pressure was intense.

Kohli's rescue act against Pakistan is still considered one of the best chases T20 World Cup history. Image: AFP

On Sunday in Ahmedabad, India needed exactly that kind of innings. Instead, they lost Ishan Kishan in the first over to Aiden Markram’s surprise move of opening the bowling. Abhishek Sharma also fell cheaply. The middle order looked average against the likes of Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Corbin Bosch.

Shivam Dube fought hard with his 42 runs, but there was no anchor to guide the Indian team. There was no batter who could absorb pressure, calculate the chase and accelerate at the right moment. That used to be Kohli’s role. Tilak Varma is in the team to play that exact role, but he failed as well.

Kohli's batting was more than just strike rate

Kohli had retired from T20 internationals on the highest note. After winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, he stepped down from the format along with Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja. In that tournament, Kohli had struggled for form throughout, but when India needed him most - in the final against South Africa - he delivered.

The former India captain played a crucial knock of 76 off 59 balls to lift India to a competitive total when the rest of the batting order faltered. He was named Player of the Match for his powerful knock as India lifted the trophy after 17 long years.

That was Kohli stepping up for India in difficult moments. He might not have the best strike rate, but in chases, in knockout matches, in moments when pressure is intense - he has always been the point of difference.