Team India batter Tilak Varma expressed his frustration after mistiming a shot in the nets ahead of the crucial T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe on February 26, Thursday at the Chepauk in Chennai. Tilak smashed the stumps in frustration after failing to connect with a pull shot off a bouncer during net practice.
Tilak Varma struggling to get going in T20 World Cup 2026
Although Tilak was in outstanding form before undergoing surgery ahead of the T20I series against New Zealand, the left-hander has struggled to replicate that form in the 20-team tournament. The Hyderabad-born cricketer has made scores of 25, 25, 25, 31 and 1 in the five games played so far. The defending champions will likely need a big knock from the star batter if they are keep their semi-final hopes alive.
Watch the video of Tilak expressing his frustration:
Tilak Varma smashes the stumps in frustration after failing to shine even in the nets🧐 pic.twitter.com/Zu0JxbrjUy
— Samson Core (@Samsoncore) February 26, 2026
South Africa’s win over the West Indies throws Group A open
Meanwhile, the Proteas’ comprehensive victory over the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has kept India alive in the competition. Had the West Indies beaten South Africa on Thursday, they would have qualified for the semi-finals and even India’s two wins may not have been enough to propel them to the Top 4. Should the Men in Blue beat Zimbabwe on Thursday, Sunday’s clash against the West Indies will become a virtual quarter-final.
As for South Africa, they are almost assured of a place in the semi-finals and likely to join England. Proteas skipper Aiden Markram had opted to bowl first and Lungi Ngidi’s haul of 4-0-30-3 was decisive in restricting the Caribbeans to 176. Markram spearheaded the run-chase with an unbeaten 82 to fashion a nine-wicket victory.
