Suryakumar predicts India to bounce back at T20 World Cup

India captain Suryakumar Yadav believes his side can bounce back quickly from their loss to South Africa and earn a place in the knockout stages of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

India suffered their first defeat of the T20 World Cup and ended a winning streak of 12 matches when they were beaten by the Proteas by 76 runs in Ahmedabad on Sunday and now face a stiff task to defend the title they famously won in Barbados in 2024.

Suryakumar's side will now most likely need victories against Zimbabwe and the West Indies in their remaining Super Eight fixtures to qualify for the semi-finals, while just one win may also be enough to progress should the Proteas remain unbeaten during the phase.

India's next opponent is Zimbabwe in Chennai on Thursday and Suryakumar does not think his team needs to change too much in order to regain winning form.

"Hopefully bat well, bowl well and field well," a blunt Suryakumar said when asked about what India need to do well for the remainder of the tournament.

"That's it. We'll try and keep it simple. Play the same brand of cricket which we want to play and nothing changes and I think we'll come back strong."

While India aren't expected to change too much ahead of fixtures against Zimbabwe and the West Indies, one concern for the side is the ongoing form of No.1 ranked T20I batter Abhishek Sharma who was once again out cheaply for just 14 against the Proteas.

The left-hander was one of three players to be dismissed inside the Powerplay as India stumbled in response to South Africa's total of 187/7, with Suryakumar rueing the loss of early wickets during the run chase.

"Sometimes you've got to think, if you're chasing 180-185, you can't win the game in the Powerplay, but you might lose the game in the Powerplay," the India captain reflected.

"We lost too many wickets in the Powerplay. And then we couldn't have small partnerships, which we wanted to have for chasing 180-185.

"But then that's part of the game. We learnt it, we'll sit back and then come back stronger."

David Miller was the star of the show for South Africa, with the veteran batter contributing 63 from just 35 deliveries to claim the Player of the Match award and ensure the Proteas made a perfect start to the Super Eights phase.

It has Miller confident the Proteas can go one step better than their runners up finish behind India at the 2024 T20 World Cup and the experienced left-hander suggested everyone in his team has the same belief.

"(Today proves) that they (India) are beatable," Miller said post-match.

"India come with as I mentioned an incredible team, but I think for us in a tournament like this, it's about making sure that we do, as I said, I keep going back to the simple things and making sure that we stay in our lane as a player and do the job and get the job done.

"We're a mature team. A lot of guys have played together and a lot of cricket for South Africa and that goes a long way under pressure. So I think it's just staying in your lane, making sure that you get the job done and keep wanting more."

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