South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram was all praise for Marco Jansen after his side’s emphatic seven-wicket rout of New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2026 at Ahmedabad’s iconic Narendra Modi Stadium. The win, their third in a row, has cemented the Proteas at the summit of Group D.
Opting to field first after winning the toss, South Africa restricted New Zealand to 175/7. Jansen starred with figures of 4/40, his lanky frame and left-arm swing proving too much for the opposition. He struck in clusters, preventing any momentum-building partnerships during critical phases.
‘That left-arm angle sets him apart. His height allows for all sorts of variations, making him a key weapon. Today’s four-fer was pivotal in the middle and slog overs,’ Markram said, highlighting Jansen’s understated tournament impact.
In reply, Markram’s explosive 86 not out off 44 deliveries, featuring eight boundaries and four maximums, anchored the chase. South Africa reached the target with ease in 17.1 overs. The skipper acknowledged the conditions: ‘Toss helped, and early pitch assistance was exploited well. Our plans against their dangerous openers worked perfectly despite the batting-friendly track later.’
Markram’s leadership shone through as he dissected the team’s strategy. ‘Our batting is packed with experience and firepower. Powerplays demand aggression from everyone now. Success isn’t guaranteed every time, but when it clicks, we seize control.’
The match underscored South Africa’s balanced attack and resilient batting. As they eye the Super 8s, Jansen’s emergence as a match-winner adds another layer to their campaign, promising more fireworks ahead.