AHMEDABAD: Defending T20 World Cup champions India need “two big performances” to reach the semi-finals after Sunday’s huge defeat to South Africa, said their assistant coach.

India came into the T20 World Cup as hot favourites on home soil but were thrashed by 76 runs in the Super Eights as 80,000 fans at the massive Narendra Modi stadium were stunned into silence.

In their first chase of the tournament, India’s batting came up woefully short in the face of some disciplined South Africa bowling.

India collapsed to 111 all out in 18.5 overs in response to South Africa’s 187-7 as their 12-match win streak in the T20 World Cup came to a crashing end.

The magnitude of the defeat has left India with a desperate net run-rate of -3.8 and likely needing to win their last two Super Eight matches convincingly to make it to the semi-finals.

Anything less and India will need to rely on a combination of other results going their way.

“Very disappointed in the performance,” said Ryan ten Doeschate.

“When you set out to win a World Cup, don’t expect someone to come and deliver it to you halfway through,” the assistant coach added.

“We’ve messed up on a grand scale and now the onus is on this group of guys to turn it around and put in two solid performances.”

India are grouped with South Africa, the West Indies and Zimbabwe in Super Eights, with the top two advancing to the semi-finals.

The West Indies face Zimbabwe on Monday night in Mumbai in their Super Eights opener.

India next face giant-killers Zimbabwe, who have already beaten Australia and Sri Lanka, on Thursday in Chennai.

South Africa play the West Indies the same day in Ahmedabad, where Aiden Markram’s side could put one foot firmly in the semi-finals with another win.

‘Cloak came off’

“Obviously, with the way the group goes, you need at least four points to get through now, and it’s going to need two big performances and a big bounce back from everyone,” said Ten Doeschate.

India’s fragile batting was exposed against an in-form bowling attack led by left-arm quick Marco Jansen, who returned figures of 4-22 from 3.5 overs. Keshav Maharaj took 3-24 with his left-arm spin.

India´s media tore into the team on Monday morning.

“The night the cloak came off,” blazed a headline in the Indian Express newspaper.

“Sloppy India reach point of no return,” said the Hindustan Times.

India’s ultra-aggressive left-handed opening pair have failed to fire, leaving a shaky middle order to pick up the pieces.

Ishan Kishan was out without scoring to Markram on Sunday, while the world’s top- ranked T20 batter Abhishek Sharma fell to Jansen for 15, his only runs of the tournament so far after three ducks.

“It’s certainly not panic stations,” said Ten Doeschate, who hinted there could be discussions about India’s batting line-up.

“If those guys (Ahbishek and Ishan) bat for six overs, the score is going to be 70-plus,” said Ten Doeschate.

“So can we get them to temper the way they’re playing and be a little bit smarter?

“Or do we just let them go on the way they are?

“Or do we bring in a right-hander at the top and make a change somewhere in the middle?”

Captain Suryakumar Yadav agreed India need to use their brains in the first six-over power play when only two fielders are allowed on the boundary.

“Chasing 180-185, you can’t win the game in the power play, but you might lose it,” he said after his side stumbled to 31-3 after six overs, which became 43-4 a few balls later and then 51-5.

“We lost too many wickets in the power play.”

The 2024 champions also have the weight of history against them. No team has ever retained the T20 World Cup and no side have ever won the trophy on home soil.

Jennifer Lopez has officially joined the ranks of parents with adult children, marking a massive milestone as her twins, Max and Emme, turned 18. 

On Sunday, 22 February, the 56-year-old superstar shared a deeply personal look at her journey as a mother, posting a nostalgic video tribute that has left fans feeling just as emotional as she is.

The singer and actress, who welcomed the pair with her former husband Marc Anthony in 2008, reflected on the “pure magic” of the night they were born. 

She recalled a beautiful New York snowstorm that covered the city in white as she waited to meet them, feeling as though they were angels sent from above. 

In her heartfelt caption, she spoke about how they have spent the last 18 years as a team, staying steady for each other through every life event.

Celebrating their growth, the Selena star didn’t hold back on the praise for the young adults they’ve become. She described them as loving and generous souls who improve the lives of everyone they meet. 

“How lucky the world was on this day 18 years ago when God decided to send you here with all of your talents and spirit and heart to make this world a better place, because that is what you do for me and anyone who is lucky enough to know you both every day,” she wrote.

The birthday montage, set to the sentimental One Direction track 18, featured rare clips of the twins as babies and shared glimpses of them growing up behind the scenes of their mum’s busy career. 

Lopez, who famously calls the pair her “coconuts,” made it clear that her bond with them is unbreakable. 

She told her followers, “‘I love you’ could never encapsulate the depth of feeling, affection, and care that I have for you, my coconuts.”

The celebrations continued on her Instagram Stories, where she posted a video of the talented duo playing guitar and singing Vance Joy’s Riptide.

Looking back on the memories, the proud mum simply asked, “Where did time go?” as she wished her “wonder twins” a final happy 18th.

Prince William and Princess Kate shared highlights from the glittering evening on their Instagram. 

Among the standout moments featured was William’s powerful address at BAFTA, which quickly became one of the most talked about clips of the night.

William celebrated the UK’s creative industries as “one of this country’s greatest strengths.” 

As a President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts since 2010, he highlighted the global influence of British storytellers, performers, and creators.

“Tonight, we honour someone whose work is, quite simply, exceptional.”

He made these remarks while presenting the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship to Dame Donna Langley, Chair of NBCUniversal Entertainment.

“Her determination and commitment have driven her to become one of the most influential and respected figures in the entertainment industry,” the future king said. 

“She was the first British woman to run a major Hollywood studio and has championed films that have shaped culture, bringing some of this century’s most iconic stories to audiences worldwide.”

He praised Donna for her dedication and mentorship, noting her initiatives to support women in leadership roles. 

“This work is crucial,” he added.  

Laughter echoed through the Royal Festival Hall when host Alan Cumming returned to the stage in a pale embroidered suit, quipping, “Yes, I have had a costume change, thank you for noticing, Prince William.”

The tribute included footage of Hollywood stars, including Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Tom Cruise, and Emma Thompson who joked she “looks like Boris Johnson” without makeup lauding. 

The audience rose to give her a standing ovation, and she thanked William for his “incredibly gracious introduction.”