South Africa pounds Windies by 9 wickets at T20 World Cup

West Indies' T20 World Cup campaign took a heavy blow on Thursday after South Africa brushed them aside with a commanding nine-wicket victory in Ahmedabad, India.

Chasing 177 for victory, the Proteas made it look easy.

Captain Aiden Markram led from the front with a blazing 82 not out, while Quinton de Kock smashed 47 as the pair put on a whirlwind 95-run opening stand in just eight overs. Ryan Rickelton then chipped in with an unbeaten 45 as South Africa raced to 177-1 in 16.1 overs.

The win stretched South Africa's unbeaten run in the tournament to six matches, including four victories in Ahmedabad, and pushed them closer to a semifinal berth.

Earlier, West Indies posted 176-8 from their 20 overs but struggled to contain the Proteas' explosive batting display.

Meanwhile, defending champions India delivered a six-hitting masterclass to thrill home fans and secure their spot in the semifinals with a crushing 72-run win over Zimbabwe.

India piled up a massive 256-4 from 20 overs, the second-highest total in men's T20 World Cup history.

Hardik Pandya blasted 50 not out from 23 balls, Tilak Varma hammered 44 not out off just 16 deliveries, and Abhishek Sharma found his rhythm with a 30-ball 55. The hosts cleared the ropes 17 times, their highest number of sixes in a T20 World Cup innings.

Zimbabwe, who opted to bowl after winning the toss, fought back through opener Brian Bennett, who finished unbeaten on 97. However, their 184-6 was never enough to threaten India's mammoth total.

With India now safely through to the semifinals and South Africa tightening their grip on a last-four spot, the race for the T20 World Cup crown is heating up.

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